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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of zap
The red-eyed alien in question is zapped back to its hive, and the Doctor gives Ruby an antidote to drink so that she can’t be tracked.
—
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 May 2025
The more cynical one is that Trump and Musk know this and want to weaponize it to their electoral advantage, intentionally depriving what are understood to be unfriendly voters of their right to to participate in elections with onerous requirements or simply zapping them from the rolls.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Demand on New England’s power grid fell to an all-time low on Sunday afternoon as sunny skies and mild temperatures zapped residents’ need for electricity.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
Colds and flu Upper respiratory infections can zap your appetite, especially if your sense of taste or smell is off.
—Sarah Klein, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 May 2025
The more cynical one is that Trump and Musk know this and want to weaponize it to their electoral advantage, intentionally depriving what are understood to be unfriendly voters of their right to to participate in elections with onerous requirements or simply zapping them from the rolls.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Demand on New England’s power grid fell to an all-time low on Sunday afternoon as sunny skies and mild temperatures zapped residents’ need for electricity.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
Colds and flu Upper respiratory infections can zap your appetite, especially if your sense of taste or smell is off.
—Sarah Klein, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
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After the Dodgers opted to intentionally walk Juan Soto to put runners on first and second with one out in the eighth inning, Alonso hit a single.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Since then, she’s knocked on my door and continues to text me with questions, without a please or thank you.—
Eric Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2025
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The pharmacologist and her sister, 28-year-old Lisa Smith, were knocked backward by the fish, which doctors believe to be a reef shark.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The two smacked into each other last Thursday trying to catch a Cedric Mullins fly ball, leaving both with concussions.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
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Indiana’s first unit smacked opponents by 12.2 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Five months after passing an ordinance to ban smoking in parks, the city of Fort Lauderdale finally slapped stickers on existing signs about this prohibition that do not get people’s attention.—
John Michael Pierobon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2025
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Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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When the victim initially resisted, the suspect kicked and punched him and forcibly grabbed a wad of cash from the vehicle, police said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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The inmate told prison staff that around 4:30 p.m. on March 7, two other inmates came into his cell, tied him up, kicked and punched him and poked him with a knife, police said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
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There's no point in banging your head against the wall.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Even after being handcuffed, the passenger continued to behave aggressively, repeatedly banging her head against the bus window.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Now there was a crowd around the triple jump pit, clapping and cheering each jumper.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
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The mistake was so surprising that Cardoso — in a moment of youthful earnestness — clapped both of her hands over her mouth in shock before scrambling back and ultimately fouling Arike Ogunbowale.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Shohei Ohtani retook sole possession of the major league lead in long balls by whacking his 17th of the season.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
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Last year, Reese committed a flagrant foul on Clark by whacking her on the head as Clark went up for a layup.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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