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
Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
For a harder version, try shoulder taps, which involve tapping alternate shoulders in the plank position without twisting.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The country’s problems were compounded by a water and energy crisis last year that led to dry taps and electricity blackouts.
—Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tap
Verb
Chang has a talent for tapping the history of the individual to speak to the broader societal forces at play around them.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
For a harder version, try shoulder taps, which involve tapping alternate shoulders in the plank position without twisting.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
If this is your first time, tap Create Invitation.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
The country’s problems were compounded by a water and energy crisis last year that led to dry taps and electricity blackouts.
—Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
valve
Noun
-
The government’s offers of dialogue with the protesters ring hollow as it is meant as a pressure valve internationally—for credulous Westerners who believe Iran’s political system is capable of reform—and domestically.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Teams deemed the valve needed to be replaced and the rocket needed to be rolled back from the pad to Boeing’s Vertical Integration Facility.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tap. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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