zapping

verb

present participle of zap
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

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 zapping For someone with acne-prone skin, the blue-light treatment on the Skin Clearing setting has become my not-so-secret weapon, zapping breakouts and calming inflammation in between trips to my facialist. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 And none of the many alternative remedies for treating lice – such as smothering them with mayonnaise or oil, dehydrating them with saline or hot air, or zapping them with an electronic comb – have proven to be effective. — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 But in the flurry of securing passports and confirming hotel reservations, travelers often fail to pack products that combat the moisture-zapping airplane cabins and surfaces that might not be so clean in airports. — Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2026 The clicking was from our electric fence, which was always zapping some errant grass, a misbehaving sheep, or a horny bull. — Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2026 No one seems happy to still be zapping themselves with electrodes. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 These 15 recipes are a major step up from zapping a bag of frozen broccoli. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2026 Scientists have been zapping brains to alleviate depression for decades through a method called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026 Lasers that focus on zapping drones out of the sky. — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zapping
  1. hitting
  2. slapping
  3. smacking
  4. knocking
  5. punching
  6. slamming
  7. banging
  8. whacking
Verb
  • The brother will provoke him by hitting him first and saying cruel things, typically about me.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Shortly after the conversation began, Soho pulled out a handgun and shot at the officers, hitting two of them, according to the GBI.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • Gabby Williams hopped off a double-decker bus and began dancing through the streets, blowing a whistle to the beat and slapping high-fives with fans all while keeping her WNBA Finals MVP trophy safely tucked in her left arm.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Jamie Love is swaying, slapping a hand against her thigh to keep time, and mouthing along to the music that plays from a set of portable speakers.
    — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • The alleged assault on restaurant employees Investigators said Gonzalez ambushed the employee, repeatedly punching him in the face with closed fists, knocking him to the ground, and continuing to strike him.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The firefighter responded by knocking Brown out with a metal bar.
    — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • Video shows a Pine-Richland football player punching a Plum player in the head during a game, prompting calls for accountability.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Anthony David Lizardo, 28, was arrested Sunday on a second-degree murder charge stemming from an incident where he was seen punching a man repeatedly in downtown Miami, according to his arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • The familyâs legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Alex Alvarado’s political action committee is behind the texts slamming Rodriguez in an apparent effort to help Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier stay in office.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • Plus, Skullcandy's Crusher Bass technology utilizes dedicated bass drivers to really give you a head-banging experience, sending bone-shattering bass pulsating through your skull.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • And although the set wasn’t particularly long, Charli rocked it, sending heads banging everywhere.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • In fact, Abdi recommends against mowing and weed whacking near tree roots in general.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 1 Nov. 2026
  • There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of whacking

Browse Nearby Words

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zapping
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Cite this Entry

“Zapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zapping. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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