tapping 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of tappingnext
present participle of tap
as in drumming
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tapping

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of tap
as in draining
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely the oil company tapped that first well completely dry

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 tapping
Verb
For five days and most of a sixth, The Athletic’s Ambition Index was tapping its toes like Sonic the Hedgehog, waiting to see some ambition. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Anyone can install it and see their work in action after tapping through a few sideloading alerts. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 With wages barely keeping up with ​inflation, households have been tapping savings and saving less to maintain spending, a situation that economists said could not continue indefinitely. — Reuters, NBC news, 30 July 2026 With wages barely keeping up with inflation, households have been tapping savings and saving less to maintain spending, a situation that economists said could not continue indefinitely. — Lucia Mutikani, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Superhero movies weren't dominating the box office, and tapping the Evil Dead director for a PG-13 action romp that had been in development hell for 25 years wasn't guaranteed to work out. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 The Colorado school testing Mithril's drone, a public charter school called the John Adams Academy, is tapping private funding after the county backed away from providing $200,000 for the program. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Tech companies are also tapping public markets for cash, including Google-parent Alphabet, which last month announced an $85 billion equity sale. — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 July 2026 Like the way the girls made candy from tapping molasses trees, and letting syrup freeze on ice. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapping
  1. drumming
  2. draining
  3. banging
  4. pumping
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 drumming
Verb
  • Make sure vents are unobstructed, check that the condensate drain is draining properly, and keep the area around the indoor unit clean and dry.
    — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
  • After the nation’s July 4 celebration, workers began draining and repairing the pool to address the underlying problems.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
Definition of draining
Verb
  • The songs on Petal are mostly moody midtempo electro-chill, brooding rather than banging.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • What was the inspiration for banging the pots and pans around the house?
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • The powerhouse sisters were raised in London in a musical home, with talent essentially pumping through each of their veins.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • Noah Kahan is pumping the brakes on the White House's embrace of his music.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of pumping

Browse Nearby Words

tapped out
tapping
taproom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tapping. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tapping

Nglish: Translation of tapping for Spanish Speakers

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