1
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
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2
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
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Recent Examples of slapping
The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.
—
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
First, rather than slapping a latex mask and makeup on Schuster-Koloamatangi, performance capture technology is used to have Dek’s face come alive with the actor’s expressions.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Once again, Jones failed to appear in court and the judge issued a default judgment in favor of the company, granting it possession of the apartment and slapping Jones with a monetary judgment of $11,240, records show.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
At one point, Ginger is seen repeatedly slapping Jesse’s behind.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Teoscar Hernández’s throw home was wide, and Guerrero narrowly beat Smith’s tag by slapping the plate with his hand for a 5-4 lead.
—Beth Harris, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
The Republican had long resisted slapping Moscow with sanctions designed to hinder Russia's ability to wage war in Ukraine.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Meg has posted several teasers of the track earlier in October before slapping an official release date on the Total-sampling single.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
In one of the most harrowing scenes in the movie, a drunken Douglas Springsteen cajoles a young Bruce into a bedroom slapping game that begins to border on genuine physical abuse.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
First, rather than slapping a latex mask and makeup on Schuster-Koloamatangi, performance capture technology is used to have Dek’s face come alive with the actor’s expressions.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Once again, Jones failed to appear in court and the judge issued a default judgment in favor of the company, granting it possession of the apartment and slapping Jones with a monetary judgment of $11,240, records show.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
At one point, Ginger is seen repeatedly slapping Jesse’s behind.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Teoscar Hernández’s throw home was wide, and Guerrero narrowly beat Smith’s tag by slapping the plate with his hand for a 5-4 lead.
—Beth Harris, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
The Republican had long resisted slapping Moscow with sanctions designed to hinder Russia's ability to wage war in Ukraine.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Meg has posted several teasers of the track earlier in October before slapping an official release date on the Total-sampling single.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
In one of the most harrowing scenes in the movie, a drunken Douglas Springsteen cajoles a young Bruce into a bedroom slapping game that begins to border on genuine physical abuse.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
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An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk lashed out at Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a series of insulting posts on his social media platform X on Tuesday, after Duffy suggested NASA may sideline SpaceX from its moon mission.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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The extremists are insulting you every single day.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
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After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When no one in the Fortune 500 wants to risk offending Trump, leave it to Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog to take care of business.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
While most scented soaps do a mediocre job of masking food smells with harsh, cheap fragrances, Naomi’s scrub neutralizes offending odors with bread-yeast enzymes, then leaves behind subtle, but incredibly luxurious notes of bergamot, black pepper, sandalwood, and ginger.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were plenty of upsets, from Houston falling to West Virginia to SMU potentially knocking Miami out of the playoffs one week after the Mustangs lost to Wake Forest.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2025
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Door knocking is an important part of campaigning, according to Jeff Lyons, an associate professor at Boise State University.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Miami's defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone, allowing 27 points per game, but the offense has struggled just as much punching it in themselves, with the Dolphins only scoring 20 points per game, both of which rank in the bottom third of the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Videos shared on social media showed federal agents pinning a man to the ground and punching him in the head.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Instead of slamming it home, Antetokounmpo soared over the defenders to make an improbable catch, landed and flicked an on-target pass to Rollins for a corner 3 before falling out of bounds to give Milwaukee a 14-point lead.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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His brief mention of the shutdown focused on slamming Democrats.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The legendary Public Enemy rapper and dating show debutante served as the guest judge on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, in which the eight remaining couples hit the floor with head-banging routines set to a litany of iconic anthems.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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If someone does encounter a coyote, officials said to scare away the animal by yelling, using airhorns, banging pots and pans or throwing objects.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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