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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of slap
Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 12 June 2026
At least until the lake came back to more or less slap him in the face.
—Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Moxley didn’t need a pep talk, just some stiff slaps from Marina Shafir.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for slap
Verb
The father of four said that people ignored his pleas to stop, and instead started booing and slapping him.
—Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 12 June 2026
At least until the lake came back to more or less slap him in the face.
—Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Noun
Here, The Athletic reviews Everton’s season just gone — their first at Hill Dickinson Stadium and one of highs, lows, slaps and… toasters.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Moxley didn’t need a pep talk, just some stiff slaps from Marina Shafir.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for slap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slap
Verb
-
Llamas smacked 139 hits in her career, Kyles 136.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
Then the others, perhaps hearing the now-familiar smack, smack, slurp of group tonsil hockey, followed suit.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Reluctant to name favorite designers and boutiques for fear of insulting others, the actress spoke of her fondness for cashmere.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
-
Then, in 2022, a court convicted him to 31 months in prison for insulting officials from the Supreme Election Council.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The rookie took a deep breath, settled into his stance and watched as Houston’s pitcher, Enyel De Los Santos, attempted to deliver the final blow.—
Latif Love
June 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Star third baseman José Ramírez broke a bone in his left hand on a swing Saturday and will be sidelined for an indefinite period, a massive blow to the two-time defending AL Central champions.—
Tom Withers,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
That is said without the least bit of sarcasm.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
The sarcasm-and-saga methodology is being applied to something that’s too thin to support it.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee saw his 18-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the majors entering play, come to an end after going hitless in three at-bats.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
My aunt is easily offended and deflects any criticism, while my dad avoids confrontation at any cost.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
-
During an engineering call, one engineer suggested that most of the offending library might not actually be necessary.—
Scott Breitenother,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The driver’s side opens, releasing the thump of music and a tall, lean figure.—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
The usual thump of a foot hitting a soccer ball filled the air Wednesday at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Among those arrested was a woman who allegedly punched a police officer.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Video
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Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slap. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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