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

Progress toward that goal faltered in 2023 when the state learned that its proposal to tap federal funds for a study on the Idaho-Utah route had been incorrectly submitted. — Rose Evans september 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2026

Weiss tapped Nick Bilton, a New York Times alum and documentary producer with little broadcast news experience, to replace Simon. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

In Tulsa County, out of 300-plus sheriff’s deputies, nine were tapped for the Task Force Model this summer. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote tapped the opening gong this morning on the floor of the Lagos exchange to open Africa’s largest initial public offer. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing tap

• on tap