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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Recent Examples of zaps
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
If that means the Evil Twin Pink Pineapple, prepare for a goblet of roseate brew whose tartness zaps the mouth like a laser.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Wait to dig the tubers until a killing freeze zaps all the foliage.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2025
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
If that means the Evil Twin Pink Pineapple, prepare for a goblet of roseate brew whose tartness zaps the mouth like a laser.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Wait to dig the tubers until a killing freeze zaps all the foliage.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zaps
Verb
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At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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The music also slaps, synthesizing industrial, electro-pop and iPod party music into a work that feels honest and the right kind of raunchy.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Victor Caratini, whose two-run single in the first inning gave the Twins some breathing room, hit a sacrifice fly earlier in the game and both Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis had RBI knocks for the Twins in the win.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
7 Apr. 2026
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A lot of the low end on the production really knocks, too.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Brett Baty will get the bulk of his playing time, especially since the utilityman also hits left-handed.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Up next, she's set to star in the romantic comedy Office Romance opposite Brett Goldstein, which hits Netflix in June 2026.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An attack rears its ugly head, and the security team smacks it down.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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Then reality smacks you in the face.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On stage, Cameron Winter leads an overall enthralling performance, as the group slams out songs back-to-back with little to say in between; no shenanigans, just a top-notch show.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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When Daisy slams the bedroom door in frustration, June can’t help but smile at the cliched rebellion.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But one of the most critical tests will come during reentry Friday, as the Orion space capsule punches through Earth's atmosphere at 25,000 miles per hour, enduring temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Brendan Byrne,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
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Pros & Cons Vizio's Mini LED Quantum 4K QLED Smart TV punches far above its weight class.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Each shows a helicopter hovering alongside his swimming pool while the entertainer claps, salutes and raises his fist in the air.—
Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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His climber fails to get Camper Kyle to the ground in time, but Bauer claps enthusiastically.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Zaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zaps. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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