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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

lap

2 of 3

verb (1)

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Backstage, the group told ABC News that this tour feels like a victory lap. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 From 2007 through 2024, a similar shriek, from another eagle, could pull the attention of 20,000 men, women and children from the hot dogs in their laps and the game programs in their hands to the skies above. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
The race will consist of 147 laps around a course at the east end of the National Mall. — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Cars made slow turns in the water, sending miniature tides that lapped at the curb. — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 16 Aug. 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
  • In the fifth inning, Soto fouled a ball off his right leg, eliciting a grimace from him and attention from both an athletic trainer and Green.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Cole had noticed the legs of their dining table and the Bakelite switches in Murphy’s house.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of leg
Verb
  • People pointed to enormous rocks that had been washed downriver during the earlier floods, as others standing on a suspension bridge over the water were warned off with whistles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Some pointed to enormous rocks washed downriver during the earlier floods, while others standing on a suspension bridge were warned off with whistles.
    — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of wash
Verb
  • Doggy Pool Party Let your dog have its day splashing at the Doggy Pool Party at Kelley Cofer Park in Tucker.
    — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The crew of Artemis II, led by commander Reid Wiseman, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a triumphant trip around the Moon.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of splash
Verb
  • After all, what begins inside the body will always ripple out into the wider world.
    — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Until that happens, there’s your growing discontent, and there are the distortions that ripple through your field whenever there’s a lack of clarity.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ripple
Verb
  • The company also expects to rationalize and consolidate systems and processes, while eliminating overlapping corporate and centralized resources.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Because symptoms associated with perimenopause can overlap with other medical concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare provider about any new, persistent, severe or concerning symptoms — regardless of your score.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of overlap
Verb
  • The train photos, mounted on aluminum, were wrapped around the walls and corners of the staircase.
    — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Everyone’s favorite—on the left, on the right, young, old—is pigs in a blanket, the little cocktail hot dogs wrapped in pastry.
    — Kwame Onwuachi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrap
Verb
  • Tracing Saint’s rise and fall over six seasons, the final episode was bathed in tragedy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Leah was the parent who fed the children, changed their diapers, bathed them, and planned to homeschool them.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bathe
Verb
  • Bake until the topping is dark golden brown and fruit juices are bubbling at the surface of the cobbler, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Return to medium-high heat, cover pan with a tight-fitting lid, and cook until mussels open and sauce is bubbling, 5–7 minutes.
    — Claire Wadsworth, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of bubble

Phrases Containing lap

Browse Nearby Words

lanyards
lap
lapdog
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lap. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on lap

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All