SLAPS Synonyms: 245 Similar and Opposite Words

slaps 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of slap

as in smacks

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 insults

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slaps

2 of 2

noun

plural of slap

as in blows

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in sarcasms

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military

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 slaps

Verb

Someone slaps a strip of medical tape across their lips, promises you deeper sleep, fewer snores and a sharper jawline by morning, then cuts to a dreamy sunrise shot. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026 As the child puts his hands up, Bible says Campbell slaps them away, then drags him off the field. — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Nothing slaps like the original, but the upcoming reboot looks kinda cool. — Bob Herman, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026 Soto, looking irritated, reaches out and slaps him upside the head. — Sylvia Varnham O’Regan, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 Helmut Haller, West Germany vs England, 1966 Ray Wilson misjudges his headed clearance, Haller gathers it on the edge of the box and, just before Bobby Moore can close him down, slaps a right-footed shot into the far corner. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026 At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

Noun

Communicating entirely through percussive movements and sounds and enough slaps to make the Three Stooges envious, the wild-haired creatures mainly seem to be auditioning for their own big-screen spin-off to compete with the Minions. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026 The repercussions of the slaps continued for hours afterward. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026 These 16 slaps are lucid and adventurous, featuring random Jay Electronica warblings, DJ Quik rhythms, and a couple of surprisingly appropriate Westside Gunn vignettes. — Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 Pro wrestling is often viewed as a fake form of fighting, but the flips, jumps and landings are very real — slaps and kicks landed on reddening skin echo throughout SPW’s venues. — Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026 Devers petulantly left the field, avoided handshakes and butt slaps in the dugout, and retreated to the clubhouse. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 During the parade and hand-slaps and high-fives, Ohtani wanted to be sure Yamamoto was recognized on his own. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 June 2026 Leonard extended his 20-point streak to 49 straight games with 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting, welcoming hand slaps from teammates after hitting his second 3-pointer late in the game. — Janis Carr, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026 The Singers centers on an impromptu sing-off in a bar, whereas Two People Exchanging Saliva explores a society where kissing is punishable by death, and people pay for things by receiving slaps to the face. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaps

Verb

And there’s rarely time to digest one controversy before the next one comes barreling down the road and smacks us in the mouth.

— Bernard Goldberg, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
In a fight with yet more mercenaries, Reacher smacks a gun out of a guy’s hand using one of Philadelphia’s moving subway trains.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of smacks

Verb

That's what happens when your star insults moviegoers or goes off on tangents about the characters's sexuality.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Ohm quickly insults nearly every employee at this small hotel within moments of meeting them, except for the young, pretty bartender, Fiona (Florence Ordesh).

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

Elsewhere, investors are absorbing the blows from a selloff in artificial intelligence stocks on Thursday, which saw the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Russell 2000 all log their worst one-day loss since April 2025, according to FactSet data.

— Sarah Min,Sawdah Bhaimiya,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Since the breakdown of a truce in July, Saudi Arabia has traded blows with the Houthis, who have retaliated with strikes on Saudi airports, energy infrastructure and military sites that killed at least 20 people in October.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of blows

Verb

The move knocks the financier’s voting power in Liberty down from 48% to 3%, and no holder of Liberty Media common stock now holds more than 9% of voting power.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
The loss knocks the Hornets, who have high expectations for this season, to a 3-6 start.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of knocks

Noun

The flavor excels because each ingredient punches above its weight.

— Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Nov. 2026
Once upon a time, Georgia-Florida was an annual heavyweight fight, two proud programs trading punches and championships while their fans traded insults and cocktails in Jacksonville.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026