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
-
Tied with Charley Hull, Gaby Lopez and In Gee Chun at seven under, Korda drained a birdie on 17 to take the lead before her par putt of 18 curled into the hole.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
The Glen Canyon Institute and canyon activists for years have argued that Lake Powell should be drained and the Colorado River allowed to again flow freely through Glen Canyon.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The small, but spirited, Peruvian fan group in the north stands banged its drums and waved flags, finally able to be part of the party.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
Founders of Avatech’s mentee companies, seated in front of their laptops, clapped and banged their hands on tables to the distinctive stomp-stomp-clap beat of the song as an electric guitar wailed.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
As the Dodgers defense turned a quick double play, Ohtani pumped his fist.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
It was pumped nearly 4,000 feet back down into the water, creating a second plume.—
Harry Stevens,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapped. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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