slapped; slapping
1
a
: to strike sharply with or as if with the open hand
b
: to cause to strike with a motion or sound like that of a blow with the open hand
2
: to put, place, or throw with careless haste or force
slapped on a coat of paint
3
: to subject to a penalty
—usually used with with
slapped him with a $10 fine
4
: to assail verbally : insult
Synonyms
Verb
- bang
- bash
- bat
- belt
- biff
- bludgeon
- bob
- bonk
- bop
- box
- bust
- clap
- clip
- clobber
- clock
- clout
- crack
- hammer
- hit
- knock
- nail
- paste
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slog
- slug
- smack
- smite
- sock
- strike
- swat
- swipe
- tag
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- whack
- whale
- zap
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Examples of slap in a Sentence
Verb
She slapped him across the face.
He slapped me on the back and said “Good job!”.
He called the dog by slapping his hand against his thigh.
Waves were slapping against the side of the boat.
Gentle waves slapped the side of the raft.
doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing
that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military
Adverb
I walked slap into the post.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Cancian, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
One of, if not the, most unusual ships ever built, FLIP looks like a giant gray stalk of steel asparagus with a conventional ship's bow slapped onto the narrow end.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2024
It’s been more than two years since the Oscars slap heard around the world, and J Balvin believes in forgiveness.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Verb
The stewards took a similar view of both incidents, slapping Verstappen with two separate 10-second penalties.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
One of, if not the, most unusual ships ever built, FLIP looks like a giant gray stalk of steel asparagus with a conventional ship's bow slapped onto the narrow end.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
This makes the discovery of Oz’s betrayal at the end of Episode 3 such a double slap in the face for Sofia.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2024
It’s been more than two years since the Oscars slap heard around the world, and J Balvin believes in forgiveness.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Dictionary Entries Near slap
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slap. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
slap
1 of 3 noun1
: a quick sharp blow especially with the open hand
2
: a noise like that of a slap
slap
2 of 3 verb
slapped; slapping
1
a
: to strike with or as if with the open hand
b
: to make a sound like that of slapping
2
: to put, place, or throw with careless haste or force
slapped the book down on the desk
slap
3 of 3 adverbLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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