as in drumming
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
Relevance
as in draining
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
the oil company tapped that first well completely dry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tapping
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
For nearly a year leading up to the proposal, Austin meticulously planned the surprise, using Google Sheets to organize all the details and tapping the couple's friends for help.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Suede Alert Whether dressing for an evening out or tapping into weekend ease, Gigi Hadid has a knack for folding in elevated essentials in a matter-of-fact way, no matter what time of day.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
The reality is that Denmark’s ownership of Greenland is not what’s stopping the United States from tapping the island’s treasure trove.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tapping
Verb
The advice, which calls for gently tapping on the brakes to slow down, only applies to older and certain newer vehicles not equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS).
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
For nearly a year leading up to the proposal, Austin meticulously planned the surprise, using Google Sheets to organize all the details and tapping the couple's friends for help.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Suede Alert Whether dressing for an evening out or tapping into weekend ease, Gigi Hadid has a knack for folding in elevated essentials in a matter-of-fact way, no matter what time of day.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026
The reality is that Denmark’s ownership of Greenland is not what’s stopping the United States from tapping the island’s treasure trove.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tapping
Cite this Entry
“Tapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapping. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
