as in 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
Relevance
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 zapped
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
Then, a record-breaking heat wave last week zapped much of the remaining snow, raising wildfire concerns and spurring water-use restrictions in places like Denver.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Timothy started to cry, and Plato zapped him again.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
In it, Captain Picard gets zapped by an alien device and all of a sudden is living a whole other life on a different planet.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Because once they’re zapped, they’re gone.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
That, paired with a mechanical issue that zapped his pull-side power and created more pop-ups, were a nasty combo for a first baseman expected to slug.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
Between freezing air outside and bone-dry heat indoors, moisture gets zapped fast, leaving behind frizz, static, and ends that feel crunchy.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Feb. 2026
His power was zapped, and his plate approach eroded, which led to him chasing more pitches outside the strike zone.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Then, a record-breaking heat wave last week zapped much of the remaining snow, raising wildfire concerns and spurring water-use restrictions in places like Denver.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Timothy started to cry, and Plato zapped him again.
—Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
In it, Captain Picard gets zapped by an alien device and all of a sudden is living a whole other life on a different planet.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Because once they’re zapped, they’re gone.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
That, paired with a mechanical issue that zapped his pull-side power and created more pop-ups, were a nasty combo for a first baseman expected to slug.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
Between freezing air outside and bone-dry heat indoors, moisture gets zapped fast, leaving behind frizz, static, and ends that feel crunchy.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Feb. 2026
His power was zapped, and his plate approach eroded, which led to him chasing more pitches outside the strike zone.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zapped
Verb
-
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is expected to hit theaters on May 1.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But Edwards hit a 3-pointer a few seconds later to push the lead to 135-128 and send the home fans streaming toward the exits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Viktoria Koskenoja, an emergency medicine physician, knocked on the door then greeted her warmly, pulling up a stool across from her.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With Carolina winning the puck battles down low, Jordan Martinook knocked the puck off Geekie’s stick, fed William Carrier for a goal on which the B’s needed a stop.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the Hockomock League, Zach Gebhard struck out six while Cooper Sisti recorded a pair of hits for four RBI and Brady Herlin smacked a solo home run to lead King Philip past Mansfield, 7-5.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Her thunderous header smacked off the underside of the crossbar and settled into the net.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Before the blaze, the city Department of Buildings slapped a partial vacate order on the address because the owner had subdivided the second and third floors into multiple dwellings, officials said.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In August last year, Washington slapped a 50% tariff on Indian goods, making exports uncompetitive.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pair were arguing when the passenger punched the victim in the face, splitting his lip, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Until Levee, punched once too often, punches back.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of the vehicles apparently also slammed into the rear of a parked silver BMW, damaging it, as well.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Paired with fellow Spaniard and 2023 winner Jon Rahm, Garcia slammed his club into the turf twice after hitting a shot that ended up in the bunker.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The racket could be seen bending as Medvedev repeatedly whacked it on the clay court, as the crowd cheered with every strike.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Airline stocks are getting whacked this morning thanks to the oil price surge.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Catcher Patrick Bailey went for the pick instead of a block, and Winn’s splitter banged off the backstop.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Diehard fans banged bass drums, songs emanated from the supporters’ wall and a packed stadium of 7,211 buzzed all the way through stoppage time of a tense game.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zapped. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
