tap 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈtap How to pronounce tap (audio)
Definition of tapnext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 tap
Verb
If your display still works, open Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup and choose Back Up Now. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Kimmel had been tapped to serve as master of ceremonies at the fundraiser for the home-sharing behemoth’s nonprofit, which was created in 2020 to provide free temporary housing to people displaced by disasters and other crises. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026 In 2020 Haynes was tapped by Zwirner to create and oversee TriBeCa outpost 52 Walker. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Oct. 2026 The Handmaid‘s Tale helmer Natalia Leite has been tapped to direct the pilot, reuniting with the Emmy-winning Hulu drama’s creator Bruce Miller who executive produces Young Americans. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
  1. drum
  2. drain
  3. valve
  4. bang
  5. pump
Verb
  • Research from clinical trials that have required female participants only since 1993 have repeatedly drummed home that message, from varying chromosomes in heart muscle cells to different heart attack symptoms and causes.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Dancers, artists, and musicians gathered to drum, sing, and compete in dance contests.
    — Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of drum
Verb
  • Some alluvial and floodplain soils can drain well and appear quite dry, yet still meet Connecticut’s definition of an inland wetland.
    — Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Fuel that smells sour, appears darker than usual, or shows signs of separation should be drained from the lawn mower and disposed of properly, instead of combined with new fuel.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Noun
  • The only way in is to lift the valve, which also releases pressure as food heats.
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The engine features dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder operated via rocker arms.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of valve
Verb
  • And although the set wasn’t particularly long, Charli rocked it, sending heads banging everywhere.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But the Rodriguez and other members of the Cuban delegation began banging the desks, calling for a point of order and shouting insults at Waltz.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • Their findings, published in Langmuir, could help address the challenges the industry faces with conventional liquid and gel propellants, including fuel movement inside tanks and pumping fuel into engines.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • These are year-round destinations that offer world-class art, adrenaline-pumping slopes, and family-friendly activities.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of pump

Phrases Containing tap

Browse Nearby Words

tantrums
tap
tap-dance
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Cite this Entry

“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tap. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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