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
Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025
Sturridge’s hand shoots up from the murk, grasping the air and slapping the planks before his body follows.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
Jadon Sancho, more technically accomplished but not quite as energetic, instead made way, slapping a seat on the bench in frustration.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Just slapping giant, festive bows on top of the jars works too.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Later, the first major production deal announced by the new Paramount was a first-look pact with Will Smith, still tainted from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025
Rambunctious from the start, he was fired from Romper Room for slapping the camera, an inauspicious show-business entrée if ever there were one.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025
Sturridge’s hand shoots up from the murk, grasping the air and slapping the planks before his body follows.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
Jadon Sancho, more technically accomplished but not quite as energetic, instead made way, slapping a seat on the bench in frustration.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Just slapping giant, festive bows on top of the jars works too.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Later, the first major production deal announced by the new Paramount was a first-look pact with Will Smith, still tainted from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025
Rambunctious from the start, he was fired from Romper Room for slapping the camera, an inauspicious show-business entrée if ever there were one.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
-
And the good vibes of those wins quickly dissolved with Toronto smacking them around in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.—
Joan Silber,
New Yorker,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Despite his mediator role, Rodríguez is also known for his explosive temperament, lashing out in Congress and publicly threatening and insulting members of the opposition.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Jan. 2026
-
That doesn't mean your comment can't be casual or in your own words, but the council will almost always bar people from swearing or insulting others.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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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One woman carried a flag for Palestine, while a man banging a cowbell hung a flag of communist Cuba on his backpack.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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