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
Relevance
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
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
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Recent Examples of slap
Haleluya Hadero, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
The American Immigration Council estimates that the mass deportation policy could slap a one-time cost of $315 billion on the United States.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
But the pop gestures and Swizz Beatz-y slaps make for an album that, like its title, skews more straightforward than its freaky lineage required.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap 
Verb
President Trump has threatened to slap tariffs as high as 100% on Chinese goods if Beijing refuses to allow a sale of TikTok.
—Haleluya Hadero, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
The American Immigration Council estimates that the mass deportation policy could slap a one-time cost of $315 billion on the United States.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
The Biden administration's latest slap in the face is exactly the kind of policy that has kept truckers' salaries in the toilet.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
But the pop gestures and Swizz Beatz-y slaps make for an album that, like its title, skews more straightforward than its freaky lineage required.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap
Verb
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Barkley smacked them for 296 yards and four TDs in the regular season.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
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During that period, Ichiro smacked 2,533 of his 3,089 Major League hits, ranking him 25th on MLB’s all-time hits list.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And coming around once every four years to beg for votes is both insulting and infuriating.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
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Last September, Roan went viral for clapping back at a photographer who was insulting stars on the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The order to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, which was widely expected, follows a similar move by the first Trump administration in 2017 and deals a major blow to global efforts to protect the environment.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
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Trump also signed an order signaling his intent to weaken tailpipe emission standards, which would be a major blow to the environment.—
Andrew J. Hawkins,
The Verge,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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At her best, the 26-year-old’s powerful hitting from the baseline is borderline unstoppable, particularly on hard courts.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Last week, when quarterback Patrick Mahomes — tackled at the ankles and about to hit the turf — threw a touchdown pass to Kelce, the Chief’s German Instagram page, chiefsdeutschland, responded with a photo and all-capital letters caption: DIESER TD HAT UNS SPRACHLOS GEMACHT.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Why does that extremely violent scene offend me, and this other extremely violent scene in another film, by another director, justify its particulars?—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
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Once benefits have been established, though, they cannot be denied or taken away from specific individuals in a manner that offends those individuals' rights to due process or equal protection, such as if specific individuals were denied benefits because of their race, religion, or national origin.—
Shane Croucher,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Helman has high-end speed and can play anywhere defensively, along with some right-handed thump.—
Aaron Gleeman,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Not a lot, but for music that subwoofer does add some thump.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes,
30 Nov. 2024
Noun
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So when he was asked about changing the starting lineup for Monday night’s game against the LA Clippers, Finch slathered on an extra layer of sarcasm to his response.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
7 Jan. 2025
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Sitting in chairs in the classroom, the student playing the role of a police officer used some sarcasm when approaching his classmate, who was acting as the driver.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Irish inched farther into field goal range over the next 26 seconds to set up kicker Mitch Jeter’s game winner from 41 yards out, punching their ticket to the national championship game.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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One of Brown's entourage reportedly used a homophobic slur against Ocean, and Brown allegedly punched Ocean and threatened to shoot him, according to an incident report TMZ obtained.—
Alex Heigl,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Video
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Thesaurus Entries Near slap
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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