SLAPPING Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

slapping

verb

present participle of slap

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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of slapping This one is a badass soldier/leader, who can’t stop slapping Stuart, Kripke and Bert. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 31 July 2026 The Congolese drum, a traditional instrument of the Luba people, makes a sound akin to the hand slapping skin. — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Brussels, however, was less charitable with EU regulators slapping a fine of 890 million euros ($1 billion) on Google, its first penalty under the Digital Markets Act, for favoring its own services. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 July 2026 Twenty wrestlers are committed to slipping on their mawashi loincloths (don’t call it a diaper), stomping to signal their readiness (that’s a shiko) and doing some belly-slapping grappling. — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026 The United States is slapping 50% tariffs on Canadian products from wine and hockey sticks to cement, in response to Canada’s retaliatory duties on American cars, alcohol, and cheese as part of the two countries’ trade war. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026 As seen in a video posted by Fanatics on Instagram and X, the former NFL quarterback traded words with Paul face-to-face before slapping him, and was ultimately pulled away. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 In video footage captured by a fan, a man dressed in black can be seen joining Max onstage before suddenly slapping her across the face. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 The girl's father and several bystanders intervened, punching, slapping and pulling Vasey away before one witness used pepper spray to stop him, according to police. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slapping

Verb

Jumping into the air, doing the splits, screaming at the top of his lungs, smacking the ground.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Iran's government denied involvement in the 2022 stabbing, but its Foreign Ministry's then-spokesperson suggested Rushdie invited trouble by insulting Islam.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
In its portrayal of cross-gender relations, the series is consistently cruel to women, insulting to men, empathetic toward nobody and cynical about everything.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Definition of insulting

Verb

The 27-year-old Adell has 16 homers and 62 RBIs this season, one year after hitting a career-best 37 homers with 98 RBIs.

— David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Across Europe, other historic objects have also been revealed this summer due to the record-breaking heat and crippling droughts hitting the continent’s waterways.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Elarms-Orr didn’t think Kincaid was down and laid a sizable hit on the tight end, knocking him to the ground again.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Wahab said she’s been hard at work on the campaign trail hosting town hall discussions, knocking door-to-door and meeting constituents in the district.

— Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of knocking

Verb

Background on the case On May 30, Shelby Police Officer Karson Hyder was captured repeatedly punching 34-year-old Cherie Moore during an arrest.

— Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of punching

Verb

But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Charlotte faced off with Lash Legend, and Lash got the better of Charlotte by slamming her on a ladder.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026