tap 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈtap How to pronounce tap (audio)
Definition of tapnext
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

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tap

2 of 3

verb (2)

as in to drain
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely the oil company tapped that first well completely dry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tap

3 of 3

noun

as in valve
a fixture for controlling the flow of a liquid turn the tap to the right for cold water and to the left for hot water

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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 tap
Verb
On the Japanese side of the intervention, Tokyo also refrained from selling Treasuries and instead tapped an obscure Federal Reserve tool called the Foreign and International Monetary Authorities Repo Facility. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 The Davalls tapped local architects Kate Campbell and Beau Clowney to update the home for more functional living while maintaining its integrity. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Yes, the bond market is tapping the brakes that Warsh seems reluctant to talk about touching. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 The timing shook out nicely, considering Berg would go on to be tapped to succeed Don Garber as MLS’ next commissioner and has subsequently been tasked with unloading his sizable ownership stake in LAFC. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tap
  1. drum
  2. drain
  3. valve
  4. bang
  5. pump
Verb
  • On the island, Heiva i Tahiti has been celebrated every July since, with traditional dance, drumming, singing and sports, such as javelin throwing and canoe races.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • From sacred chants and tribal drumming to protest songs, stadium anthems and dance floors, music has long brought people together through sound, ritual and meaning.
    — Bija Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of drum
Verb
  • Your table is ready, the waiter said, and Rebecca drained her glass and stood.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Most of the region’s sewers were engineered generations ago to drain well under 2 inches of rain per hour, and a cloudburst can deliver double that amount.
    — Ravi S. Bhalla, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of drain
Noun
  • Wankel turned a valve, and billion-year-old brine sputtered out of one of the pipes.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
  • That required doubling the engine speed to a heady 3,800 rpm, replacing the pushrod valves with double overhead camshafts for better control over timing, and moving to direct fuel injection at much higher pressure than the production engine.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of valve
Verb
  • That looked like all Boise would need until Madison’s Aaron Edwards banged home a world-class equalizer in the 83rd minute, firing a shot from the left edge of the box and tucking it inside the right post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Where grass grows right up to a tree’s trunk, the lawnmower will inevitably follow, banging and chipping the bark or scalping bark off roots that are exposed above the soil.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • Elsewhere in high fashion, McQueen has embraced corset-like footwear with a range of styles including the peep-toe Lexie Pumps worn by Sophie Thatcher and other silhouettes like the fall 2026 Koko wedge pump with brogue trim.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • There are also some manual vacuums available that rely on a pumping action from the user.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of pump

Phrases Containing tap

Browse Nearby Words

tantrums
tap
tap-dance
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Cite this Entry

“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tap. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tap

Nglish: Translation of tap for Spanish Speakers

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