Synonyms of tap

tap 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈtap 

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

• drum
• bang
• hit
• pat
• clap
• click
• beat
• knock
• pound
• rap
• bat
• slam
• thump
• smack
• hammer
• flick
• whack
• bop
• sock
• swat
• strike
• paste
• thwack
• thud
• bash
• ping
• clink
• tip
• wallop
• bonk
• clatter
• chuck
• chink
• pitter-patter
• pit-a-pat

tap

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to drain

to remove (liquid) gradually or completely

the oil company tapped that first well completely dry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drain
• pump
• siphon
• draw (off)
• suck
• empty
• bleed
• draft
• evacuate
• clean
• flush
• milk
• purge
• vacate
• exhaust
• clear
• void
• deplete
• vacuate
• decant
• effuse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill
• water
• wash
• soak
• wet
• bathe
• drench
• douse
• drown
• overflow
• flood
• inundate
• submerge
• souse
• swamp
• deluge

tap

3 of 3

noun

as in valve

a fixture for controlling the flow of a liquid

turn the tap to the right for cold water and to the left for hot water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• valve
• spigot
• faucet
• cock
• gate
• stopcock
• hydrant
• spout
• petcock

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tap

Verb

Two academics have been tapped to analyze disparities in police street stops, the latest attempt to make sure officers don’t engage in racial profiling, according to the NYPD’s federal monitor. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026

But Hill got the dangerous Max Muncy to tap a groundout to second base. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

Clinker users slip the smart bands onto their Heineken bottles or cans and tap them against someone else’s. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026

The New York Times first reported Hamilton has been tapped to lead FEMA again. —Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing tap

• on tap