as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
zapped the annoying bug with a swatter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zap
Aliens tend to fall into two distinct camps: those who want to zap us with lasers, and those who want to be our cool new intergalactic BFFs.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 3 June 2025
And then visualize zapping this face/tumor/marsupial with golden phasers, thought torpedoes, celestial disintegrators, the full arsenal of your mega-mind.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
But in some instances, zapping money through the ether doesn’t allow for some important information about the money to tag along.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The former works well, zapping blemishes with a click.
—PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 3 June 2025
And then visualize zapping this face/tumor/marsupial with golden phasers, thought torpedoes, celestial disintegrators, the full arsenal of your mega-mind.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
But in some instances, zapping money through the ether doesn’t allow for some important information about the money to tag along.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The former works well, zapping blemishes with a click.
—PC Magazine, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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More: Bourbon, other U.S. spirits could soon be hit with retaliatory EU tariffs.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
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The floods that hit the Hill Country nearly three weeks ago killed dozens of young girls at Camp Mystic, many of whose families live in the Houston region.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Instead, Sue goes all Mama Bear and uses her powers to knock him into the teleporter and then Silver Surfer has a change of heart and knocks him back in when Galactus tries to get out.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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In log rolling, two competitors face off on floating western red cedar logs, switching up treading speed and direction to try and knock their opponent off balance without touching each other.—
Maayan Silver,
NPR,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Williams, once an endorsement queen, wore a logo-free black dress and white visor and played uncomplicated tennis, smacking nine aces and attacking at the first strike.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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If so, Denver has a solid duo set to fly around and smack some dudes over the middle of the field.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 July 2025
Verb
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His vow to slap 30% tariffs on imports from the E.U. could be a negotiating tactic, but many in the wine industry are worried nevertheless.—
Russ Wiles,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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So, slap their observations together and astronomers believed that'd paint a beautiful picture of the night sky in its totality.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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An Iranian man punches through a representation of the Israeli flag with the Iranian flag ribbon tied to his wrist in an anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli rally at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Bowers smashed in the driver's side window and punched McNeil in the head.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Verb
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The most recent incident to prompt charges occurred Oct. 13, when Wolf reportedly banged pieces of metal and shouted homophobic insults at the occupants of a neighboring residence.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
16 July 2025
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Josh yelled while banging the kitchen tools together.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
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The short clip shows Aguilera — an executive producer on the musical — smiling and clapping during the performance, with scenes from the production spliced throughout.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
20 July 2025
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As the song continued, Amora, from her highchair, chewed her food and clapped alongside her mom to the song.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Jim Wood whacked away vegetation in 2000 on a maze-like trail in Placer County nearly reaching his wits end.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2025
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Agustín Ramírez then whacked a two-run homer off Twins starter David Festa 425 feet to left center.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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