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
The accelerometers captured the bell’s response to being tapped, and the force gauge measured the force of impact as a function of time. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026 Companies are also tapping the public debt markets in an unprecedented way. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 Add coffee grounds or loose tea leaves to its stainless-steel brewing filter, then tap a preset button for coffee, green tea, or black tea, or choose a temperature of your liking anywhere from 70°F to 205°F. — Matthew Huff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 For its latest venture, Auberge tapped the famed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to bring its interiors and its 140 rooms and suites to life. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
  1. drum
  2. drain
  3. valve
  4. bang
  5. pump
Verb
  • Across the dozen tracks, Sivan leans heavily on ’90s touchstones, traipsing from glitch-hop to drum and bass, casting a wide net across sounds and scope.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The man next to me on Saturday air-drummed the entire show, and a couple behind me kept commenting about how happy Hetfield looked on the big screen during every song.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of drum
Verb
  • Be sure to drain the olives, mushrooms, and use a thick pizza sauce to avoid a watery dip.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Noun
  • The two valves must then pass one another midway through their strokes, briefly deforming to squeeze past each other before resuming their pumping roles.
    — Mike McRae October 12, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • City crews are pumping out water on the streets, rebuilding beach berms and opening tide valves to help mitigate water intrusion.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of valve
Verb
  • It was recast by two local foundry workers, John Pass and John Stow, not once but twice, because the first recast produced a sound that one bystander likened to coal scuttles banging together.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And then — more oysters, higher this time, cruel, pleasant things cutting at my hips, banging my thighs.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • The event featured high-flying stunts, air-pumping cold thrusters, and a driverless demonstration that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But funding to pump water from a separate watershed into Rattlesnake Creek was approved in 2025 through spending legislation that Marshall supported.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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