zap

verb

Definition of zapnext
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

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 zap These 15 recipes are a major step up from zapping a bag of frozen broccoli. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026 Essential oils, including tea tree, lavender, and clove oils, can also zap fungi, which eliminates excess sebum and oily hair. — Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 16 June 2026 Next, the scientists zap the liquid with an electrical current. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026 Mexico declared eradication in 1991, and efforts to zap the flies continued moving southward. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
  1. hit
  2. knock
  3. smack
  4. slap
  5. punch
  6. bang
  7. clap
  8. whack
Verb
  • However, without strong spending activity at home, a heavy reliance on exports makes China particularly vulnerable to a reversal in AI sentiment, which would hit sales of high-tech products.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Lanageliers started the game at catcher and hit third in the lineup while the American League won a largely uneventful affair, 4-0, at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Definition of knock
Verb
  • Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman smacked a 463-foot whopper late last month.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of smack
Verb
  • But when their panel ended, the sports stars got into a heated exchange that ended with Brady slapping Paul in the face.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • Helmut Haller, West Germany vs England, 1966 Ray Wilson misjudges his headed clearance, Haller gathers it on the edge of the box and, just before Bobby Moore can close him down, slaps a right-footed shot into the far corner.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of slap
Verb
  • The Hawks had the chance to punch their way to a spot in the Summer League playoffs with a win.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Video shows part of arrest in Meridian Ten seconds into the initial video, the officer sitting on the man punched him, according to the footage.
    — Alex Brizee July 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
Definition of punch
Verb
  • For example, Nolan imagined an alarm system for Troy with its citizens banging sheets of metal that would get louder as the Greek threat became more urgent.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • Moshobane outworked Sacramento midfielder Danny Crisostomo for the ball and banged it into the far side of the net.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 12 July 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Last week, as dusk draped over the water, fans clapped the musicians through their last song of the night.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of clap
Verb
  • Pop, a Romanian, was rolling through another service game when Bobker whacked an easy backhand beyond the baseline.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The experience was not entirely dissimilar to getting whacked in the skull.
    — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Definition of whack

Browse Nearby Words

zany
zap
zapped
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Cite this Entry

“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on zap

Nglish: Translation of zap for Spanish Speakers

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