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
Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2024
For the first time the whole thing kind of slapped me in the face.
—Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2024
And no need to slap a label on Rapman’s spectacular six-part Supacell, streaming on Netflix from June 27, in which Cole stars as Michael, who’s head over heels with social worker Dionne played by Adelayo Adedayo (The Responder, Gone Too Far).
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 21 June 2024
That said, there’s more to grilling than slapping a slab of meal on your grates, cranking up the burners, and waiting until your entree of choice has a few char marks.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap 
Verb
The charges allege that Boyd Householder slammed girls’ heads or bodies against walls, slapped or struck them with his hands, a belt or other objects, shoved one girl’s face into horse manure and poured hot sauce down a girl’s throat.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2024
For the first time the whole thing kind of slapped me in the face.
—Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2024
And no need to slap a label on Rapman’s spectacular six-part Supacell, streaming on Netflix from June 27, in which Cole stars as Michael, who’s head over heels with social worker Dionne played by Adelayo Adedayo (The Responder, Gone Too Far).
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 21 June 2024
That said, there’s more to grilling than slapping a slab of meal on your grates, cranking up the burners, and waiting until your entree of choice has a few char marks.
—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for slap
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near slap
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slap. Accessed 7 Jul. 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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