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
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
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Dec. 2025
Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
When a gecko slaps its foot on a wall, many of the branches push tightly against the surface.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
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
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
After exchanging some slaps in the ring, Vaquer gained the upper hand and hit another Devil's Kiss on Nikki before going to the corner for a corkscrew splash to grab the pinfall win.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Toothpaste is banned, and slaps serve as currency.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
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
Verb
Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Dec. 2025
Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
When a gecko slaps its foot on a wall, many of the branches push tightly against the surface.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
The fans are behind Sark, but no amount of attaboys or back-slaps can replace being in the same place as national semifinalists Indiana, Ole Miss, Oregon and Miami.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026
After exchanging some slaps in the ring, Vaquer gained the upper hand and hit another Devil's Kiss on Nikki before going to the corner for a corkscrew splash to grab the pinfall win.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Toothpaste is banned, and slaps serve as currency.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
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
-
Squad' rep's felon husband smacks phone from reporter 3.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Just as this monster is about to take out the entire team on the Abyss, a giant boulder flies through the air and smacks him in the face.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The paddling comes as revenge for multiple times Marty insults the businessman throughout the movie.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Additionally, 35 people were also treated at the scene and in hospitals for various injuries, such as lacerations, blows and scrapes, Crónica reported.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The fourth quarter was a wild one, with each team trading blows.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Three weeks later, in early October, Kim knocks on Helen’s door.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
-
One of the biggest knocks on him is his lack of experience.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If that language offends you — come on.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
-
If one employee offends another, they are fired on the spot.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Punch Makes a Comeback Exotic and nostalgic punches are taking center stage in home entertaining, offering both visual appeal and easy service.—
Colleen Sullivan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The humanoid performs spins, punches, one-legged stances, rapid kicks, and low sweeps, then transitions into aerobatic sequences.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This midsize option from Bagsmart hits the sweet spot with plenty of interior and exterior pockets to keep essentials organized and accessible.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
-
And that, in turn, is pushing more credit card and loan accounts into delinquency, forcing borrowers to try and find the right way to respond after a collection notice appears or a new account hits their credit file.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The thing that outrages, the thing that shocks, the thing that elicits the greatest response, and the greatest response of all of those emotional reactions is outrage, is fear, is shock, is anger.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
-
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 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
