1
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
2
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
1
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
2
as in offences
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
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Recent Examples of slaps
Touré, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
By the end, only one of the assassins is alive; Brian ties him to a tree and slaps him around a bit, demanding to know who hired him.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 10 Oct. 2025
During a climactic confrontation on campus, Maggie, in a pique of outrage, slaps Alma across the face—something that Roberts insisted Edebiri do for real.
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
Richter asks before leaning on a chair upside down as Slater slaps his butt again.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Belly, devastated by the betrayal, slaps Jeremiah and breaks up with him.
—Alexandra Hurtado, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Instead, Ted slaps him in the face, twice.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Anthony thinks his fiancé wants a mother more than a partner, so Giuseppe slaps a pie into his face?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Touted as the second-highest fine ever levied by the board, many observers struggled to view it as anything but the gentlest of wrist slaps.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
They were then categorized by behavior, including jumps, belly rolls, tail slaps, bow riding and even petting.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five.
—Touré, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
By the end, only one of the assassins is alive; Brian ties him to a tree and slaps him around a bit, demanding to know who hired him.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 10 Oct. 2025
During a climactic confrontation on campus, Maggie, in a pique of outrage, slaps Alma across the face—something that Roberts insisted Edebiri do for real.
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
Richter asks before leaning on a chair upside down as Slater slaps his butt again.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Belly, devastated by the betrayal, slaps Jeremiah and breaks up with him.
—Alexandra Hurtado, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Instead, Ted slaps him in the face, twice.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Anthony thinks his fiancé wants a mother more than a partner, so Giuseppe slaps a pie into his face?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
A couple of good back slaps and thumps from the adoring crowd.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Touted as the second-highest fine ever levied by the board, many observers struggled to view it as anything but the gentlest of wrist slaps.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
They were then categorized by behavior, including jumps, belly rolls, tail slaps, bow riding and even petting.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaps
Verb
-
Quietly handling the cornbread, with a buttery scent that smacks you right in the face, is her paternal grandmother.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Oct. 2025
-
As the scene unfolds, the gorilla suddenly lifts its arm and smacks the glass, causing a crack.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
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Attorney General Pam Bondi insults Democrats in Senate hearing.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Richard Westenberger, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Carter’s, said tariffs are delivering blows to the business, which has caused the company to hike its prices and decrease its discounting efforts.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In this era of advanced statistics and probabilities and over-analysis of every nuance on every shift of a hockey game, the only numbers that really matter when the final horn blows are posted on the scoreboard.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That said, Dexter’s signature burger knocks it out of the park, with two uber-beefy, coarsely ground patties and a lightly sweet and super fluffy bun, plus American cheese, thin pickle slices, red onion and dijonnaise.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Gap High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans Gap’s denim collection always knocks it out of the park, and these cuffed wide-leg jeans are no exception.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tallulah asks, shocked, which offends Maia.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Think of the chatbots that enrage customers, copy that erases brand voice, email that offends prospects, or sales outreach that overwhelms without engaging.—
Andrea Hill,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
No punches were thrown, and order was quickly restored, but the mere sight of a standoff is rare in any playoff game, much less Game 7 of the World Series.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The first opportunity the home crowd had to roar came four minutes into the middle frame, when Wild defenseman Jake Middleton exchanged punches with Jets blueliner Luke Schenn.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Siddiqui, who has starred in blockbusters and hits like Thamma (2025), Sacred Games (2018) and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), also reveals the reason behind his decision not to charge an acting fee for his role.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Witnesses watch as barge hits sailboat of campers Palomares said a crewman with eight years on the job was serving as the lookout that day, and that the captain of the tug pushing the barge had 12 years experience on the vessel without incident.—
David Goodhue
October 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Content that outrages, polarizes or triggers anxiety keeps us watching.—
Avital Pardo,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaps. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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