as in drummed
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 drained
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 tapped
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Kevin; his business partner and wife, Holly; and her daughter Kelly tapped me on the shoulder at his funeral service.
—Lindsay Calleran, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
Carlson Young took the helm here after directing Amazon’s chart-topping rom-com Upgraded, starring Camila Mendes and Archie Renaux, and has since then been tapped to direct their Christmas comedy Clashing Through the Snow.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 2026
Fuller, in turn, tapped into the new technology of electricity to create trippy fantasias in which the body merged with fabric and color to become something larger and weirder than itself.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
In 1984, President Reagan tapped Casillas to serve as an assistant secretary of labor, focusing on employment training programs.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Weiss has tapped outsiders to do so.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Experts have said both tapped into dissatisfaction with the status quo in Democratic politics.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Trump tapped Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the new acting director of national intelligence.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Verb
The first-stage booster that had been tapped during the original attempts was discarded for a new booster.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Kevin; his business partner and wife, Holly; and her daughter Kelly tapped me on the shoulder at his funeral service.
—Lindsay Calleran, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
Carlson Young took the helm here after directing Amazon’s chart-topping rom-com Upgraded, starring Camila Mendes and Archie Renaux, and has since then been tapped to direct their Christmas comedy Clashing Through the Snow.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 2026
Fuller, in turn, tapped into the new technology of electricity to create trippy fantasias in which the body merged with fabric and color to become something larger and weirder than itself.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
In 1984, President Reagan tapped Casillas to serve as an assistant secretary of labor, focusing on employment training programs.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Weiss has tapped outsiders to do so.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Experts have said both tapped into dissatisfaction with the status quo in Democratic politics.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Trump tapped Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the new acting director of national intelligence.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapped
Verb
-
Veterinary technicians took out their tackle boxes of medications and sedated the whale, and then the tribe prayed, drummed, and offered thanks to the whale and to the people who tried to help it.—
Robin Romm,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Harabeoji drummed his fingers on his knees.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Verb
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While Oklahoma City shot just 10-for-40 from 3-point land (including 0-for-5 from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 1-for-9 from Lu Dort), the Spurs drained 15 3s in 41 attempts, with four each from Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Norrased sought to reassure him, telling him that the water was being drained, and handing over blankets and food.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Both traveled at least 428 feet and banged off the batter’s eye at Globe Life Field, where Alvarez has hit 17 home runs in his career.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Instead, both hesitated, their feet tangled and a charging Healy banged in the loose ball.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Delta has pumped the money saved into upgrading its beverage service for flights between 350 and 500 miles.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
The ball cleared the top of the wall by about six feet, as Grissom pumped his fist rounding first base.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapped. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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