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 tariff threat, however, has zapped more than that from the largest carmakers’ market capitalization in recent weeks.
—
Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein got zapped into action.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
The first zap flattens the drop into a disk; the second vaporizes it into a ball of hot, ultraviolet-emitting plasma.
—Jayson Stewart, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2025
Microwave the bowl for 20 seconds—your brown sugar should be much softer thanks to the moisture in the paper towel (and if not, add a little more water to the disposable sheet and zap again).
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein got zapped into action.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
The first zap flattens the drop into a disk; the second vaporizes it into a ball of hot, ultraviolet-emitting plasma.
—Jayson Stewart, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2025
Microwave the bowl for 20 seconds—your brown sugar should be much softer thanks to the moisture in the paper towel (and if not, add a little more water to the disposable sheet and zap again).
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zap
Verb
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Bean reported to the nurse that the 8-year-old had hit his nose either on a wall or on her arm while throwing a fit.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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You could be struck by falling debris or knocked to the ground.—
Maya Wei-Haas,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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The American League East, almost always led in spending by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, now has another club knocking at the vault door.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pennsylvania’s drift to the right was the fourth largest of the seven, smack in the middle.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
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Still, the Yankees managed to make things interesting in the ninth inning, as Volpe smacked a three-run homer off Arizona lefty A.J. Puk to cut the deficit to one.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Miss: The Ring General World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was interrupted by Jey Uso, who came through the crowd to confront him in the ring; despite Gunther's attempts to speak, Jey slapped the microphone away and questioned Gunther about his family.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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The conversation between the Beijing administration and the EU chief takes place after Washington last Wednesday slapped China and the EU with reciprocal tariffs of 34% and 20%, respectively.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,John Melloy,Ruxandra Iordache,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on … Not Sarah Squirm’s fault and not hating on her.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2025
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With their huge 198 score, the Green & White punched their first ticket to the NCAA Championships since 1988.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Once the van doors are shut, Miller, Nero, Porter, and multiple civilian witnesses hear Gray yell and bang against the van, shaking it.—
Steve Earley,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
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The room began swaying and pictures banged against the walls.—
Muktita Suhartono,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Why are the fans suddenly clapping that odd rhythm in unison?—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2025
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He was also seen as a member of the audience clapping along while Jack Black danced through the crowd during last week's monologue.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Right now, Trump and Congress could whack Medicaid and give Newsom a solid rationale for cutting way back on healthcare for undocumented Californians.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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Alas, the thick-headed goon that Vito sends to whack Frank in the lobby of his lux Manhattan apartment building (a swollen and unrecognizable Cosmo Jarvis as the aptly named Vincent Gigante) fails to follow through with a double-tap, and Frank survives with a scratch to the head.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Zap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zap. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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