tap 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈtap How to pronounce tap (audio)
Definition of tapnext
as in to drum
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically tapped her foot in time to the music kept tapping the desk with his pencil

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tap

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely the oil company tapped that first well completely dry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tap

3 of 3

noun

as in valve
a fixture for controlling the flow of a liquid turn the tap to the right for cold water and to the left for hot water

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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 tap
Verb
Levi’s has also been tapping nostalgia and celebrities like Beyoncé to great success in the last few years, while Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters have also re-elevated their brands. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Goodell was as good as his word, and the practice of double-tapping viewers with post-TD marketing messages is now about as defunct as the barefooted placekicker of yore. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Final Thoughts NexSnap is a reminder that taking screenshots needn't be complicated, and that a screen-capture utility should offer more than just the ability to tap PrtScn. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 For each of the five creations, Numarine tapped an international studio to bring their vision to life aboard the new 38XPC and 39MXPC models. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
  1. drum
  2. drain
  3. valve
  4. bang
  5. pump
Verb
  • The service As guests step foot on Jumeirah Olhahali Island, they are greeted with a joyous traditional Maldivian Boduberu dance accompanied by drumming and harmonious chants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Welsh drummer who formerly performed with AC/DC, David Gilmour and more has decided to permanently take a step back from drumming.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of drum
Verb
  • In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency.
    — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Then, crews from the Urban Search and Rescue team worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank and help save the remaining bears from drowning, officials said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of drain
Noun
  • The posts appear every 20 minutes, no author shows up twice, yesterday's topics include pet insurance and industrial valves and the search traffic fell off a cliff a year ago.
    — Boris Dzhingarov, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The twin-valve dampers and air suspension have been recalibrated in Touring, Bentley, and Sport modes.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of valve
Verb
  • Fast-forward five centuries later to modern-day Seattle, and Liz is forever banging her head hearing her husband's persistent little cough.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The water stops suddenly, making the pipe shudder or bang against the wall or another surface.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • Emergency workers have pumped air and dropped food into one tunnel but have yet to establish communication with anyone inside.
    — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The first uses a special rig that pumps sCO₂ through real downhole equipment under realistic conditions.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of pump

Phrases Containing tap

Browse Nearby Words

tantrums
tap
tap-dance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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