lap 1 of 3

noun

Definition of lapnext
as in leg
a portion of a trip we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home

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lap

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to wash
to flow along or against the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

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2
as in to splash
to flow in a broken irregular stream the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to ripple
to move with a splashing motion a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force

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lap

3 of 3

verb (2)

1
as in to overlap
to lie over parts of one another the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield

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2
as in to wrap
to surround or cover closely this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 lap
Noun
Sheriff’s deputies found Guttenbeil asleep with a gun in his lap behind a Eastern Avenue liquor store next to a car wash in the 4000 block of Marconi Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Office. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026 According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the area after receiving a report of a man asleep on the ground with a handgun on his lap. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
The safety car and Verstappen even seemed to lap some of them. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 The Armoury by Ring Jacket Cotton Sport Chinos The Armoury tapped Japan’s Ring Jacket to make its Sport Chinos, which bridge the casual-formal divide with a button fly, lapped side seams, a higher rise and a tapered leg. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lap
  1. leg
  2. wash
  3. splash
  4. ripple
  5. overlap
  6. wrap
  7. bathe
  8. bubble
Noun
  • Below the knee, his right leg seems to have acquired an extra joint.
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The zip-up jacket and wide-leg pants have a coordinated look, and the contrast piping adds just enough detail to keep the set from feeling like basic gym wear.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of leg
Verb
  • The only additional water usage for this collection comes in a single rinse wash given by Triarchy before the finished product ships so that the consumer doesn’t have to wash before wearing.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • To kill lice or eggs that have jumped to surfaces, wash all clothing, bedding, head wear and toys that came in contact with the child’s head in the past two days in hot water and dry them on high heat.
    — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of wash
Verb
  • The emotional landscape is heightened by birdcalls, splashing waves, and trees thrashing in the wind.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This gargantuan show is replete with Pollock's greatest hits, the giant, frozen dances of paint splashed on canvas that have become iconic.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • On July 23, 1973, tragedy rippled through the Mexican American community when 12-year-old Santos Rodriguez was shot and killed by a Dallas police officer who tried to coerce him into confessing to a burglary by playing Russian roulette.
    — Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • On Facebook, Lee’s account displayed a picture of the young Chinese man from behind, rippling shoulders framed in a weight lifter’s tank top.
    — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of ripple
Verb
  • What remains unclear is how much those inquiries overlap, and which contracts, payments or departments are drawing the most scrutiny.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The serum combines biomimetic peptides, a root-anchoring complex, and antioxidants to fortify hair on multiple, overlapping fronts.
    — Kate Gammon, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of overlap
Verb
  • For now, this is an intriguing proof of concept, a tantalizing glimpse of what electric mobility might look like someday, and a technology wrapped in enough engineering jargon to make the average driver’s eyes glaze over.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In the photos, she is seen standing knee-deep in the water before wrapping a towel over her body to dry off.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrap
Verb
  • Dduk Dabang The restaurant specializes in toppoki, which are hot dishes filled with chewy rice cakes bathed in a sauce.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, in 1986, many of the largest cities were bathed in permanent twilight, with only the brightest stars and planets visible from near city centers and with astronomically unacceptable conditions up to 50 miles (80 km) away.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of bathe
Verb
  • Rumors of Frow’s impending departure had been bubbling in the industry in some months.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Anthony Tubbs of the Los Angeles Fire Department said firefighters also responded to reports of flooding in the area and found water bubbling from the street.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bubble

Phrases Containing lap

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lanyards
lap
lapdog
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Cite this Entry

“Lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lap. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lap

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