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
This year, historically warm temperatures zapped the snow that's the foundation of Park City's economy and identity.
—
David Condos, NPR, 19 May 2026
But the first trimester zapped her energy.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
Scientists have been zapping brains to alleviate depression for decades through a method called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
The gadget works by utilizing a blue-violet light to attract insects, which are then zapped by a 4200-volt electric grid on contact.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zap
David Condos, NPR, 19 May 2026
But the first trimester zapped her energy.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
Scientists have been zapping brains to alleviate depression for decades through a method called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
The gadget works by utilizing a blue-violet light to attract insects, which are then zapped by a 4200-volt electric grid on contact.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
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Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee saw his 18-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the majors entering play, come to an end after going hitless in three at-bats.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Llamas smacked 139 hits in her career, Kyles 136.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
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Then the others, perhaps hearing the now-familiar smack, smack, slurp of group tonsil hockey, followed suit.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
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Rojas slapped a single up the middle to put the Royals ahead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Among those arrested was a woman who allegedly punched a police officer.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
9 June 2026
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In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
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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
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Cars pushed through the crowd, hitting at least one person as agitators continued banging, kicking and blocking government vehicles.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Some clapped when Knicks head coach Mike Brown hailed reserve guard Jose Alvarado’s performance—8 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists, all in the fourth quarter—during the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, which put the Knicks one win away from their first title since 1973.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
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Feint claps for the President could be heard on the ABC broadcast, but they were overwhelmed by the Bronx cheer.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The wacky misplay happened during the top of the fourth inning on June 2, when Rockies third baseman TJ Rumfield whacked a deep fly to right field, which then grazed off the left side of Adell’s glove and off the top of his head.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
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Larry Hayes, 86, and Bill Moniz, 79, hit the tennis courts in Mountain View three to four times a week — whacking balls across the net as teammates for one to three hours a week.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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