as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
zapped the annoying bug with a swatter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zap
In the wild, divers have talked about seeing electric rays zapping curious sharks that got too close, sending them flinching or swimming off.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
This could come in handy during those old colonial winters, as frigid climates can zap battery performance.
—New Atlas, 9 July 2025
What appears to be a bud is actually a seed pod that can zap the growth and later blooms on the plant.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 July 2025
Team it with a broad spectrum, high factor sunscreen to further protect your skin against collagen-zapping UV rays.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for zap
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
This could come in handy during those old colonial winters, as frigid climates can zap battery performance.
—New Atlas, 9 July 2025
What appears to be a bud is actually a seed pod that can zap the growth and later blooms on the plant.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 July 2025
Team it with a broad spectrum, high factor sunscreen to further protect your skin against collagen-zapping UV rays.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Beach, 46, was arrested for DWI-felony serious injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run/leave scene, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Every Dodger in the starting lineup had at least one hit on a night when there were 18 to go around.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The raw tuna got smacked with a Stop Sale.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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As of this publication, the final Conjuring movie starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren lands smack dab in the middle of the best and worst rated Conjuring Cinematic Universe films on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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DraftKings, one of the biggest online sports gambling sites in Illinois, is slapping 50- or 25-cent fees on most bets.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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During the stream, Kardashian tagged along for Cenat's noodle game — basically, a challenge where the influencer and his friends take turns hitting each other on the head with pool noodles while participants wear helmets and don't know which of their peers slapped them from behind.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like the clang of bells, the sound bypassed my ears and punched the air from my lungs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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His video shows the worker being punched and stomped on as others attempted to intervene.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Maximo Acosta banged a leadoff double off the center-field wall.—
Alex Krutchik,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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From his head-banging guitar solo to his crisp, impressively precise vocals, Thomas delivered male R&B showmanship reminiscent of Maxwell or D’Angelo.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the Tar Heels began the 2025 season with an opening-drive touchdown, Tar Heels legendary former head basketball coach Roy Williams was clapping in his own suite alongside Michael Jordan, the UNC sensation who turned into one of the best NBA players of all time.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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In the video, Kotb could be seen clapping as a friend brought Waffles out of a car to her daughters, who were standing in their driveway waiting to meet their new furry friend.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As Wyatt goes in for the swing, her little sister, Bennett, runs behind her and nearly gets whacked by the club.—
Georgia Slater,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Christian Walker has whacked a home run in all of them, including a tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh inning Saturday night.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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