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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as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely
the oil company tapped that first well completely dry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tap
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The sci-fi epic stars Gosling as an ostracized biologist now teaching high school who is tapped by the head of an international consortium (Sandra Hüller) to help stop the sun from dimming and ushering in another ice age.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2026
Another new pal tapped my shoulder then.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
If a product supported Instant Checkout, users could tap Buy and then confirm their order, shipping, and payment details, and complete the purchase without ever leaving the chat.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tap
Verb
Had Torkelson tapped his helmet, Vásquez might have instead faced bases loaded with McGonigle coming up.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The sci-fi epic stars Gosling as an ostracized biologist now teaching high school who is tapped by the head of an international consortium (Sandra Hüller) to help stop the sun from dimming and ushering in another ice age.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2026
Another new pal tapped my shoulder then.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
If a product supported Instant Checkout, users could tap Buy and then confirm their order, shipping, and payment details, and complete the purchase without ever leaving the chat.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
valve
Noun
-
Steve Malers, Fort Collins The Post editorial points to the portability of the senior and veteran Homestead Property Tax Exemption as a partial relief valve for those who qualify for it.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
About 18,000 gallons of sewage spilled near the intersection of Friars Road and Sea World Drive after a valve at a pump station failed, officials reported the morning of March 25.—
Point Loma-Ob Monthly,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tap. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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