LAPPING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

lapping 1 of 3

noun

as in overlap

a partial covering of one thing by an adjoining member the lapping of the roofing shingles should be several inches in order to avoid leaks

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lapping

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of lap

as in washing

to flow along or against the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

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as in splashing

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

as in rippling

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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lapping

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of lap

as in overlapping

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

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as in wrapping

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 lapping

Noun

Keep going down to the little beach, where two paddleboards and a handful of beach loungers (the good kind, made of fabric and with a footrest) sit at the gentle lapping edge of the sound. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 The Wave percale sheets are guaranteed to lull you to sleep, like you’re being rocked by the gentle lapping of the ocean. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026 From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore. — Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026 As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still. — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026 When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025 The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom. — Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025

Verb

The stretch of track along the San Clemente shoreline has long offered picturesque views of sandy beaches and lapping ocean waves for passengers traveling between Los Angeles and San Diego. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The medieval abbey of Normandy’s Mont Saint-Michel, a tidal island only accessible at certain times each day, stretched from the lapping waves as though reaching for Heaven. — Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 The hotel’s unprecedented vantage point envelops guests in panoramic views of Melbourne and the ocean lapping at Port Phillip Bay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Prototypes of the electric 718 have been lapping the ‘ring for years now (see the video below). — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026 But with Russell 11 seconds behind Norris and Antonelli lapping faster, Mercedes ordered a position swap, sacrificing Russell’s potential points gain. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Their own basement is flooded, and to keep out the water lapping at their front door, Keller let his dogs out through the window onto a makeshift metal dock. — Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 14 Aug. 2026 To the tune of softly lapping waves, The Inn at Langley revealed its cards slowly in the way quiet luxury tends to do. — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 As her words came out, smoke billowed from her body, filling her clothes, lapping out around her feet in rings. — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping

Noun

The two parts have distinct checklists, to accommodate for the different scale of each location, though the parts share some overlap.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
In Japan, this has meant not only a great deal of collusion between yakuza gangs and law enforcement but also considerable overlap between crime and politics—especially, though not exclusively, right-wing politics.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of overlap

Verb

The emotional landscape is heightened by birdcalls, splashing waves, and trees thrashing in the wind.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Platt shot cellphone video showing ferocious waves spilling over the promenade along East Brigantine Avenue on Saturday, pushing two bike racks aside and splashing Mayor Vince Sera.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of splashing

Verb

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
Located within the Coyote Buttes North permit area near the Utah border, its rippling sandstone formations can only be visited with a permit.

— Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of rippling

Verb

The serum combines biomimetic peptides, a root-anchoring complex, and antioxidants to fortify hair on multiple, overlapping fronts.

— Kate Gammon, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Several overlapping pressures, including trade disruptions and falling demand, have placed winemakers in a tricky position.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of overlapping

Verb

Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, faced reporters for the first time Tuesday for a very brief turn at the lectern, taking a handful of questions before abruptly wrapping it up.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The gold numbering, along with a single gold racing stripe wrapping around the armholes, and a distinct gold-and-white striping pattern running down the right side of both the jersey and the shorts.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrapping

Verb

Harvard Health recommends bathing regularly, using a high-quality deodorant or antiperspirant, staying hydrated to offset fluid loss from sweating and talking to a doctor if a strange new scent lingers.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
Like the moon during a solar eclipse, the asteroid casts a predictable moving shadow on a swath of Earth’s surface—a small silhouette in the dim light bathing us from that one star.

— David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of bathing

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