as in hitting
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 zapping
Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) lauded for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties, has long been the MVP of breakout control, but today’s best salicylic acid serums go well beyond zapping zits.
—
Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Even with Slack zapping the number of emails sent, most people still waste so much time sifting through their inboxes.
—semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
For all of Earth history, lightning has been zapping the surface, today at the rate of 100 strikes a second.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 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
Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Even with Slack zapping the number of emails sent, most people still waste so much time sifting through their inboxes.
—semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
For all of Earth history, lightning has been zapping the surface, today at the rate of 100 strikes a second.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zapping
Verb
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Six Longhorns scored in the first quarter, which ended with Georgia native Bryanna Preston hitting a pull-up jumper at the buzzer.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
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Everyone’s hitting, banging bodies.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His home run in the first got the night started for A&M, who followed it up with another run in the fourth thanks to Terrence Kiel II slapping a single past the second baseman, driving home outfield Caden Sorrell, pushing the Aggies' lead to 2-0.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
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But then, during the challenge, when Ozzy knocks the key off a post, Coach weasels in and grabs it even after Ozzy has been slapping his limp pole at it for the better part of an hour.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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In his defense, Barnett took the stand to say there was no murder plot and that Thomas extorted him for the money using physical violence – knocking out his teeth, injured his left shoulder, and smacking his private parts.—
Sydney Pereira,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During the heated back and forth, the other man kicked the victim in the upper body twice, knocking him onto the tracks, witnesses told police.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2026
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One of them punched him in the face, knocking some of his teeth out.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But in the background, financial markets keep punching above their weight.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Newhuis is accused of later returning and assaulting the manager by punching him multiple times, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The team wasn't supposed to be landing at Miami International Airport, but because of the historic blizzard that was slamming the Northeast, the flight from Italy arrived in the Sunshine State.—
Marybel Rodriguez,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
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At the University of South Dakota, art professor Michael Hook was fired for slamming Kirk in the wake of his assassination.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Everyone’s hitting, banging bodies.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Pull your hair half up, half down to really show off your banging fringe.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rio’s staunch griminess, dreaming of whacking his brother and wanting to cut his nephew’s tongue for snitching, drags Fxce out into the open sea.—
Matthew Ritchie,
Pitchfork,
23 Feb. 2026
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Next thing, authorities told media outlets, a 63-year-old player allegedly punched an opponent and then used his pickleball paddle as a weapon, whacking a 70-year-old in the face.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zapping. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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