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
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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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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
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Sporting a bright yellow raincoat and rainboots, Garcia pretends to be a journalist reporting on the storm in West Kendall as a palm tree leaf slaps her across the face.—
Xitlalic Montelongo,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Guzman knocks on the door, then goes behind a pillar.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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It’s packed with anti-theft features Other than an accident (*knocks on wood*), my biggest fear is walking outside to find my expensive e-bike stolen.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On a day when balls were not leaving the yard and hits to the warning track were rare, the Cubs still thrived.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trash truck hits a resident’s vehicle – $47,000 The Board of Estimates approved a $47,000 settlement for Donald Stepp after a Department of Public Works trash truck struck his vehicle on Dundalk Avenue in February 2023.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 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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Continue reading … ‘ABOMINATION’ — Turning Point USA slams Daily Mail over misleading Charlie Kirk murder coverage.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The shop held monthly poetry slams and won numerous local awards for best bookstore in the city.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The operator takes another swing, but the man ducks, punches the operator, then knocks him down, raining punches on his head before a bystander separates the two.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Poor Indigenous, Black, the people from the favelas, when the police go there and kill 120 people there, and the population basically claps and thinks that that’s great.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
2 Dec. 2025
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 8 Apr. 2026.
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