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
Each player did for a time, but injuries to both zapped Boston’s power production, and Breslow acknowledged adding more power this offseason will be a priority.
—
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Low temps can affect plants in different ways that usually start with slowing a plant’s growth and metabolism and can zap any leaves — think of your poor herb garden.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
The special teams play helped Los Alamitos zap the momentum of Edison, which took its first lead in the middle of the second quarter.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Ace zaps back, letting loose a laugh punctuated with manic handclaps.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Low temps can affect plants in different ways that usually start with slowing a plant’s growth and metabolism and can zap any leaves — think of your poor herb garden.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
The special teams play helped Los Alamitos zap the momentum of Edison, which took its first lead in the middle of the second quarter.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Ace zaps back, letting loose a laugh punctuated with manic handclaps.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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,
10 Jan. 2026
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Diaz obliged, but not before smacking an unlucky onlooker with a wayward first attempt, above.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Often, though, the clutter is the point, and you’re smacked with temperamental textures that channel the flippant streak of plunderphonics.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One defensive stop later, and the Hurricanes clinched their 31-27 win over the Rebels to punch their ticket into the national championship game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Ravens battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial division matchup, where the winner would be crowned AFC North champs and punch its ticket into the postseason, while the loser would be sent packing.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Borregales banged home a 35-yard field to give the home team a 6-3 lead heading into halftime.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Then the same crowd saw four more Panthers legends — Jake Delhomme, Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Wesley Walls — march through the tunnel and bang the drum again before the fourth period.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hays said in a November interview, pretending to clap like a seal.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
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The dancers wove through the crowd as others clapped along in raucous celebration.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rasmus Dahlin and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen weren’t on the same page playing a puck behind the net, and Mavrik Bourque whacked a rebound in with Dahlin as the closest Sabre in coverage.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
1 Jan. 2026
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Even where verification was mandated, such as in Taiwan and Singapore, Meta’s systems showed a whack-a-mole effect.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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