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
Your husband overreacted and disrespected you, slapping food and mocking you.
—
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
As things escalated between the two schools, video emerged showing Juluke slapping LSU safety Joel Rogers.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Lewis stepped outside, the freezing wind slapping her in the face, and started walking.
—Jason Kane, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington have been on a rollercoaster ride in 2025, with both sides slapping escalating tariffs on each other.
—Afp, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
But what’s most interesting about watching the nine-member ensemble rehearse is that the performers are not simply dancing to music, and not just responding to it, but also interacting with it and co-creating it with their rhythmic bols and slapping foot stomps.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
The Bitter Mai Tai is the cocktail slapping back.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
Tchervinski can be seen in one of videos of the incident slapping a Black man.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
As things escalated between the two schools, video emerged showing Juluke slapping LSU safety Joel Rogers.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Lewis stepped outside, the freezing wind slapping her in the face, and started walking.
—Jason Kane, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington have been on a rollercoaster ride in 2025, with both sides slapping escalating tariffs on each other.
—Afp, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
But what’s most interesting about watching the nine-member ensemble rehearse is that the performers are not simply dancing to music, and not just responding to it, but also interacting with it and co-creating it with their rhythmic bols and slapping foot stomps.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
The Bitter Mai Tai is the cocktail slapping back.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
Tchervinski can be seen in one of videos of the incident slapping a Black man.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Cal Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle for most home runs in one season for a switch hitter after smacking his 54th dinger yesterday.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Posts garnered thousands of replies from people calling for her job, insulting her appearance and using her post as a reason for a general disdain of left-leaning people.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Jesus and Antonio are insulting Veejay, Veejay is insulting Antonio and Jesus, the twins are getting more heated, and Veejay, in her most vulnerable moment all season, weeps to Christian about feeling misunderstood.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Finding free parking in Las Vegas feels like hitting the jackpot.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Is the streamer afraid of offending hate groups by depicting them as hateful and/or groups?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
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In New Zealand, murder carries a mandatory life sentence and judges are required to set a prison term of at least 10 years before the offending person can apply for parole, according to the outlet.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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The clash with Hamlin ended badly after the 44-year-old driver made contact while trying to overtake Gibbs, knocking him out of the race.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The man killed Tuesday in a Douglas County road rage shooting had exited his car and was reaching into the suspect’s vehicle, allegedly punching him, when he was shot, according to court records.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
25 Sep. 2025
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He was also listed as a suspect in an incident three days earlier, after allegedly punching a man in the head during an argument about speeding in a Walgreen’s parking lot, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Springer was apoplectic, slamming his bat to the ground before taking out his frustration on his helmet back in the dugout.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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The bus then hit an SUV, spinning it to the side before slamming into another truck.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ethan Embry as Mark Embry played the head-banging Empire Records store employee Mark, and had a lot of wild adventures behind the scenes.—
Drew Mackie,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
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But then Lacey was back with the kids, banging around in the kitchen, and the first of the evening’s friends and acquaintances began to show up and the blessedness passed, as had the roadrunner, hyperactive and vigilant and always on the make, gone off to seek somebody else’s snakes.—
T. Coraghessan Boyle,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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