slap 1 of 2

verb

ˈslap How to pronounce slap (audio)
Definition of slapnext
1
as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner she was so mad that she wanted to slap him right across the face

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in tired of jokes that slap people of faith

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slap

2 of 2

noun

1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military

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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 slap
Verb
Canada notably slapped a 50% tariff on American steel and aluminum, doubling the current rate. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Soto, looking irritated, reaches out and slaps him upside the head. — Sylvia Varnham O’Regan, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Getting caught circumventing the salary cap isn't some slap-on-the-wrist offense. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 In 2025, Wanda Sykes, who co-hosted the 2022 Oscars with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, told Variety that Smith had apologized to her personally for disrupting the show with the slap. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap
  1. smack
  2. insult
  3. blow
  4. sarcasm
  5. hit
  6. offend
  7. thump
  8. punch
Verb
  • The directorial debut of cinematographer Mi Steinbach, Strange Neighbors was shot over three years on Schwarztonnensand, an island and nature preserve on the German Elbe river, smack in the middle of one of Europe’s busiest waterways.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In last fall’s season-opener, the Irish smacked Chicago Christian 47-6.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of smack
Verb
  • The Fox morning show paid tribute to Leavitt with a video montage of her berating and insulting reporters from the White House podium.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • According to a detective’s testimony at a preliminary hearing, Thomas raped a 15-year-old girl while forcing her to insult Blythe Street.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • If the aim, as stated, is to deal an economic blow to Iran, the fact is that the country is already under severe strain.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling.
    — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Like all of Roth’s content, there is a mix of dead seriousness, dry sarcasm, and wondrous joy in equal measure.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sarcasm
Verb
  • Throw it on over a swimsuit before hitting the beach, or accessorize it with a belt and some sunnies for a laid-back, yet polished, ensemble.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The American military undertook fresh strikes against Iran, hitting air defense and radar system targets.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • DeChatelet, an acting instructor at Florida Atlantic University, uses his halting speech to depict a person who’s afraid of offending anyone.
    — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Patterson indicated he wasn’t offended when the Dolphins signed Gonzalez as competition.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of offend
Noun
  • Their pitching is good, Griffin Jax could return soon, and Liam Hicks has added some thump to a lineup previously built around three really good hitters (Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda) and a bunch of do-your-job role players.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • James showed excellent vision and punch, and paired with Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey, the Niners should have three worthwhile, trustworthy backs this season.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch

Phrases Containing slap

Browse Nearby Words

slanty
slap
slapdash
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Cite this Entry

“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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