1
as in smacking
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
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2
as in insulting
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
tired of jokes that slap people of faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slapping
The movie's December 2022 release was largely overshadowed by the aftermath of Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at that year's Academy Awards.
—
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
This is simply slapping lipstick on a pig and, once again, taking no accountability.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
But there’s more to at-home extensions than slapping them on the crown of your head and heading out the door.
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 9 Apr. 2026
That means going beyond slapping a flag on packaging in November.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2026
Mirković took a straight line toward Wagler, slapping his hand and then bringing him in for a long hug — two freshmen raised 5,000 miles apart who came together to help the Illini reach their first Final Four since 2005.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Airlines across the region, like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific are slapping hefty fuel surcharges on flights; Vietnam and the Philippines are even weighing whether to ground planes.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
But every so often there comes a day that is so different—so unusual—so spectacular that its happening can only be chalked up to old-fashioned, knee-slapping good luck.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
When the Rockets called a time out, the Lakers bench all ran over to Doncic, hugging him, slapping him and James nudging him for a job very well done.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
This is simply slapping lipstick on a pig and, once again, taking no accountability.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
But there’s more to at-home extensions than slapping them on the crown of your head and heading out the door.
—Hunter Lacey, Allure, 9 Apr. 2026
That means going beyond slapping a flag on packaging in November.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2026
Mirković took a straight line toward Wagler, slapping his hand and then bringing him in for a long hug — two freshmen raised 5,000 miles apart who came together to help the Illini reach their first Final Four since 2005.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Airlines across the region, like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific are slapping hefty fuel surcharges on flights; Vietnam and the Philippines are even weighing whether to ground planes.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
But every so often there comes a day that is so different—so unusual—so spectacular that its happening can only be chalked up to old-fashioned, knee-slapping good luck.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
When the Rockets called a time out, the Lakers bench all ran over to Doncic, hugging him, slapping him and James nudging him for a job very well done.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping
Verb
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The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
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De Kock smashed eight boundaries and seven sixes and Dhir complemented his South African teammate by smacking three fours and three sixes in the century partnership.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Over just four days this month, Milei, an avid user of X, wrote 86 posts taunting and insulting journalists, according to an analysis of his feed between April 2 and 5 by prominent Argentine daily La Nación.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Late at night, the staff are known for insulting anyone brave enough to step up to the counter.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That passion to play every moment to the hilt, along with her powerful hitting stroke, that came with being a coach’s daughter.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kimmel refused to apologize for offending the first lady, noting the joke drew little initial reaction until the unrelated shooting.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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The offending vehicle fled in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Iranians have been knocking around in the United States’ critical infrastructure for years.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.—
Justin Fishel,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.—
Mike Schneider,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar quickly responded on X, slamming his Ukrainian counterpart for conducting diplomacy on social media.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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Trump’s remarks came hours after the first lady released a statement slamming Kimmel for the comment.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slapping. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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