SLAPPING Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

slapping

verb

present participle of slap

as in smacking

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner she was so mad that she wanted to slap him right across the face

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in insulting

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in tired of jokes that slap people of faith

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of slapping Canada is slapping hefty counter-tariffs on farm machinery, such as combine parts, mowing equipment and livestock trailers. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 He was asked about the interaction, and briefly talked about seeing all the reaction videos on X, including the AI one with Sarkisian slapping Rowe. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 And instead of losing five yards and having Herbert, in a rare show of emotion, slapping the turf in frustration, the Chargers probably would have gotten a fresh set of downs. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Arch Manning's joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 Texas quarterback Arch Manning apologized Tuesday for publicly joking about an AI-altered video that depicted Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe in the moments after Texas' big win over Ohio State. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 The inappropriate touching included slapping her on the buttocks and touching her hair and thighs, the report states. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 Not only did the boycott fail to keep the company from slapping its Black customers in the face with its Jim Crow costume, but the insult happened with two Black men on the company’s board of directors. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping

Verb

Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Trump has also lashed out at individual reporters in person or over social media, sometimes in strikingly personal terms -- insulting them in briefings, or in his recent speech at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Griffin brought up the moment as the cohosts discussed Andy Cohen apologizing for previously insulting Dancing With the Stars performer Julia Stiles, who called the Watch What Happens Live host out on DWTS earlier this week.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of insulting

Verb

Followin much teasing, Oasis will embark on an additional 2027 tour hitting stops once again in the United Kingdom and United States, but also Europe, which was omitted during last year’s trot.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
The film will open in select theaters on October 16 before hitting Netflix on December 2.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

For that, their game — analyzing randomness and violence and doing so without offending our intelligence — has become as important to the American audience as The Game.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
While Presley made appearances on The Milton Berle Show and The Steve Allen Show, among many others, Sullivan had hesitations about platforming the provocative singer, whose dance moves thrilled some audiences while offending others.

— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of offending

Verb

According to court documents, a woman told police that Pace, who was her child’s father, was inside her residence when her boyfriend, Adams, arrived and began knocking loudly on the door.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Next, the door becomes his battering ram, knocking three enemies down to the landing below him.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.

— Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

Definition of outraging

Verb

Since the turn of the century, car makers have been among the crown jewels of the German economy, punching above their weight in terms of investment and innovation.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
See, the way my thighs are set up, running long distance in a pair of shorty shorts would just mean punching a one-way ticket to Chafe-town.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of punching

Verb

New physics may only manifest at high-energy levels, the sort of energies that the LHC generates by slamming together protons at near light speed.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Suddenly, a 2004 Ford Expedition barreled into the intersection from the wrong direction at a high rate of speed, slamming into the middle of the bus.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026