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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Meanwhile, bitcoin has dropped 50% since hitting a record high above $126,000 in October.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The car collided with the bicyclist before continuing another block and hitting the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market location in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Part of the answer seems to be more brands willing to make early commitments that actually matter (and not just slapping logos on things) but investing in the media infrastructure that lets fans watch and follow women’s sports in the first place.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
26 Jan. 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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Providence coach Donny Reynolds has seen Mandac knocking on the door since his high school career began.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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As the captain took the women back to the gate and off the property, Trader allegedly came up and hit Abzal in the face, knocking him back.—
Sara Machi,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jonathan Velez was slapped with charges of assault and reckless endangerment Wednesday for allegedly punching Manuel Rivera, his 39-year-old cousin, to the ground near Rockaway Blvd.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
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For about 17 years, McDonald-Foster ran her Crave Cafe out of a small, beige-yellow house barely punching 1,000 square feet and without a dishwasher.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The latter was also something Garcia took issue with Friday, slamming the Justice Department for continuing to withhold some of the files.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Thomas then appeared to quickly lunge at Leon, swiftly grabbing and lifting him up before body slamming the suspect to the ground.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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My ten-year-old granddaughter was marching and banging her little saucepan with a salad spoon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Online posts questioning the city’s account continued into the week, and protesters have kept returning to the Hyatt, banging pots and chanting in subfreezing temperatures.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then Eriksson Ek helped create Spurgeon’s tying goal by dominating Kaiser in front and whacking at two rebound attempts, with the puck bouncing right to Spurgeon by the post.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The reptile reacts to being picked up by flicking its meaty tail back and forth, whacking a few of the deputies.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zapping. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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