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
-
That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Andor hates him on sight, which only intensifies when Berend smacks around his mother and tears up the apartment looking for proof that Klára has deceived the boy with idealized fictions about his origins.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Attorney General Pam Bondi insults Democrats in Senate hearing.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In the case of Governor Pritzker insults his body, body shamed him.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Combs has seen a series of blows to his legal case in the past several weeks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Once the final frame got underway, chaos ensued as the undefeated NEPSAC programs traded blows.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
26 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
-
Despite its 2-5 record, Cleveland can throw some punches through one of the fiercest defensive lines in football.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Leo pulls no punches as Lizzo matches her intensity in a whisper.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This week, Megan Thee Stallion enters her lover girl era, Hayley Williams throws it back to Paramore’s After Laughter heyday with a funky love song, and Demi Lovato hits the club or her new not-that-deep studio album.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
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New Delhi pollution hits five-year high Air pollution in New Delhi hit a five-year high this week, as Diwali fireworks combined with farming fires to shroud the city in a toxic haze.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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