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 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slaps
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
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
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
The tarp slaps the frame of the truck’s roof.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
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
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
-
Attorney General Pam Bondi insults Democrats in Senate hearing.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Despite major strides in the right direction, the push for a greener future has been dealt several devastating blows from a fraught supply chain, economic headwinds and political setbacks.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, when a wealthy telecommunications CEO knocks on their door and reveals his plans to regain the public’s trust in supers, the Parrs are all in.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Latin social dance is a place where people leave their worries at the door, but in Chicago, fear over immigration crackdowns knocks anyway.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Intel case offends two basic economic truths.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Tallulah asks, shocked, which offends Maia.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In a video of the attack that was widely circulated on social media, one soldier is seen striking him with the barrel of his rifle, before the settler comes in to land several more punches.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The poem is littered with gut punches that would destroy me as a parent; Lee sees the poem’s beauty and appears to feel appropriate shame.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
So many conversations about so many things and for some reason that’s what hits home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
When a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse hits her desk, Diane’s questions about the buyer’s identity lead to what could be the story of a lifetime.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 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 18 Nov. 2025.
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