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

The 41-year-old comedian, who became the first woman to host the awards ceremony solo last year, was tapped as emcee again after earning overwhelmingly positive reviews for her debut. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Think mid-century diner vibes, 70s flower power patterns, vintage advertisements, old-school movie posters, or anything that taps into collective nostalgia. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026

Noun

Use buttons to filter wildfires; tap markers for details. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025

The swan-neck tap, with its two silver wings. —Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025

Phrases Containing tap

• on tap