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zaps

verb

present tense third-person singular of zap
as in slaps
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 zaps The top spray instantly zaps away high temperatures, while forced convection in the lower puddle continuously draws away residual heat. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026 Poopies tries to shave his face as Knoxville zaps him, and later, Steve-O struggles to tattoo a smiley face onto Holmes' nipple as he gets repeatedly buzzed. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026 Known only as The Man from the Future, Rockwell's character zaps back from the future and lands in a Norms diner, looking to assemble a dream team to stop the AI apocalypse. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026 To record information, a laser zaps data into precise depths of the glass using a series of energy pulses that each last for about one quadrillionth of a second. — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2026 In the Boston area, a train with lasers mounted in front zaps the rails to deal with leaf slurry that creates an oil slick. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026 This is especially vital as Mars in your 4th House of Memory zaps Chiron in your sociable 7th house. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026 Ace zaps back, letting loose a laugh punctuated with manic handclaps. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zaps
  1. slaps
  2. knocks
  3. hits
  4. smacks
  5. slams
  6. punches
  7. claps
  8. whacks
Verb
  • As the child puts his hands up, Bible says Campbell slaps them away, then drags him off the field.
    — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Nothing slaps like the original, but the upcoming reboot looks kinda cool.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of slaps
Verb
  • Bowie is still the defending champion until someone knocks them off, and the Vols deserve respect for that.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
  • If the party gets a little too wild, and someone knocks the jams into the drink, don't worry.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of knocks
Verb
  • Mookie Betts hits three doubles and the Dodgers surge for 15 hits to overcome a shaky start by Tarik Skubal in a 10-4 win over the San Francisco Giants.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
  • When a big storm hits the northern Sierra, the Feather River’s runoff lands in Lake Oroville, behind the nation’s tallest dam, and the Yuba’s lands in New Bullards Bar.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of hits
Verb
  • In a fight with yet more mercenaries, Reacher smacks a gun out of a guy’s hand using one of Philadelphia’s moving subway trains.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Other gamblers just don’t want to get swindled, so anything that smacks too clearly of insider trading can get you in trouble.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of smacks
Verb
  • At a pivotal moment in the film, Ledger’s Joker positions a pencil on a table, and later slams a man’s head into it.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Hawaii is under a state of emergency as Hurricane Lowell slams the islands with life-threatening rain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of slams
Verb
  • The kitchen, meanwhile, is the most impressive part of the house and really punches above its weight for such a compact model.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The movie never punches for laughs, and the filmmakers are amazingly assured in their subtle style and their meticulous attention to detail.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of punches
Verb
  • After the tragedy in the stadium, Haymitch claps in front of the mostly empty, save for guards and Peacekeepers, stands.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The hugs, smiles and claps around the FDJ Suez bus told a different story, however.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of claps
Verb
  • With runners on the corners, Martinez whacks a two-run, RBI double to tie it at five.
    — Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Then little Holly Wheeler and her 10-year-old friends, including the Season 5 favorite Derek (Jake Connelly), all swarm into the basement and take over the D&D table in a passing of the torch that basically whacks the audience over our collective heads.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Definition of whacks

Browse Nearby Words

zapping
zaps
zeal
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Cite this Entry

“Zaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zaps. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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