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
DraftKings, one of the biggest online sports gambling sites in Illinois, is slapping 50- or 25-cent fees on most bets.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Tchervinski can be seen in the viral video slapping one of the suspects, which his lawyer claims occurred after he had already been hit.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
As the dance got underway, Dwayne removed his shirt — prompting onlookers to cheer him on — and then began slapping the ground with his hands.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Cellphone video footage seen by NPR shows a group of miners frantically slapping and pouring water over their limp bodies in an effort to revive them.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
The sighting involved tail slapping and the whales slapping their pectoral fin against the ocean’s surface, boaters said.
—Paloma Chavez
august 22, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2025
This isn’t about slapping a name on a package.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Leaders in Cincinnati's Black community have called for police to arrest the White man who is seen slapping another man in one of the viral videos of the fight.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2025
Leaders in Cincinnati's Black community have called for police to arrest the White man who is seen slapping Matthews in one of the viral videos.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2025
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Tchervinski can be seen in the viral video slapping one of the suspects, which his lawyer claims occurred after he had already been hit.
—FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
As the dance got underway, Dwayne removed his shirt — prompting onlookers to cheer him on — and then began slapping the ground with his hands.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Cellphone video footage seen by NPR shows a group of miners frantically slapping and pouring water over their limp bodies in an effort to revive them.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
The sighting involved tail slapping and the whales slapping their pectoral fin against the ocean’s surface, boaters said.
—Paloma Chavez
august 22, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2025
This isn’t about slapping a name on a package.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Leaders in Cincinnati's Black community have called for police to arrest the White man who is seen slapping another man in one of the viral videos of the fight.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2025
Leaders in Cincinnati's Black community have called for police to arrest the White man who is seen slapping Matthews in one of the viral videos.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
-
Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Montgomery gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead, smacking a two-run single to right field.—
Field Level Media,
Reuters,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The same phenomenon occurred with insulting researchers.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In 2021, Lauryn Licari received text messages from an unknown number that were insulting and threatening her relationship with her boyfriend at the time, Owen.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Democrats and progressives are unsure of much, wary of offending anyone in their coalition, and unclear who will lead them in 2028.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But a federal judge ruled against the police agency, concluding there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial — including a neighbor's cell phone video that captured a trooper punching the man in the face and slamming him to the ground.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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While the employees of Dunder Mifflin largely were just punching a clock, the Truth Teller staff enjoys their work.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Video evidence showed a trooper punching the man and slamming him to the ground during a 2021 incident.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Adults nearby sprinted toward the loud, banging noises.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The father had a massively fresh gash, from his right wrist, up across his whole hand, from banging and breaking iron and glass, to save his kinfolk.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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