as in to drum
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
tapped her foot in time to the music kept tapping the desk with his pencil
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
the oil company tapped that first well completely dry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tap
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
The tax pro can advise you about the various tax consequences, including the likely bills for tapping your nest egg and selling your home.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Margaret Borden, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Brutal cold on tap for millions of Americans At least 100 million Americans are on alert for dangerous cold weather in the coming days across the East as brutal, eye-watering cold winds -- the coldest of the season for some -- are expected across the Northeast this weekend.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tap
Verb
Vonn tapped her poles together three times before pulling out of the gate.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
The tax pro can advise you about the various tax consequences, including the likely bills for tapping your nest egg and selling your home.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
When nearly anything can be bought with a few taps on a screen, brick-and-mortar stores have to work harder—and smarter—to earn a visit.
—Margaret Borden, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Brutal cold on tap for millions of Americans At least 100 million Americans are on alert for dangerous cold weather in the coming days across the East as brutal, eye-watering cold winds -- the coldest of the season for some -- are expected across the Northeast this weekend.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
valve
Noun
-
One study found that valve replacement surgery was less risky for patients when it was performed in the afternoon, for example.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Two roaches hung out in a gas valve to the cookline wok station.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tap. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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