Slap — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun adverb /ˈslap/

Meaning & Definition of Slap

Slap (verb)

  1. to strike sharply with or as if with the open hand
  2. to cause to strike with a motion or sound like that of a blow with the open hand
  3. to put, place, or throw with careless haste or force

Slap (noun)

  1. a blow with the open hand
  2. a quick sharp blow
  3. a noise like that of a slap
  4. opening, breach

Slap (adverb)

  1. directly, smack

Slap (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, hit, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap, hang one on
    related: batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste, lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough, scuff, bunt, flick, stroke, tap, bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp, bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump (slang), fell, floor, knock down, level, rabbit-punch, sucker punch, cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip, bean, brain, conk, skull

  2. to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in

    "tired of jokes that slap people of faith"

    similar: affront, dis (slang), disrespect, insult, offend, outrage, slight, wound
    related: cut, snub, displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble, upset, jeer, mock, ridicule, sneer (at), taunt, defame, disparage, libel, malign, revile, slander, slur, smear, oppress, persecute, torment, torture
    near: acclaim, applaud, approve, hail, commend, compliment, eulogize, praise, adulate, flatter, sweet-talk, exalt, glorify, honor, delight, gratify, please, satisfy

Slap (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

    "doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse (British), fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup (dialect), lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop
    related: counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling, drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

  2. an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings

    "that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military"

    similar: affront, barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis (slang), epithet, gird, indignity, insult, name, offense, outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slight, slur
    related: catcall, gibe, jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt, abuse, invective, vituperation, disapproval, opprobrium, disgrace, dishonor, shame, attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe, torment, torture
    near: accolade, commendation, compliment, acclaim, applause, praise, adulation, flattery

Related Entry: Slap down (verb)

Slap down is a different word from Slap. The synonyms below are for slap down, not for slap.

  1. to put a stop to (something) by the use of force

    "public protests against the dictatorial government were always promptly slapped down"

    similar: clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, put down, quash, quell, repress, silence, snuff (out), squash, squelch, subdue, suppress, sit on
    related: douse, extinguish, put out, quench, smother, stifle, strangle, throttle, annihilate, decimate, demolish, desolate, destroy, devastate, nuke, rub out, ruin, smash, waste, wreck, exterminate, obliterate, wipe out, conquer, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subjugate, vanquish
    near: abet, aid, assist, back, help, prop up, support, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir, whip (up), advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Slap

The most common words with a similar meaning to Slap:

Slang: dis
British: douse
Dialect: larrup
bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, hit, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale

Related Words for Slap

batter, bung, drub, lace, lambaste, mangle, maul, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough, scuff, bunt, flick, tap, bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, prod, push, shove, stamp, bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump, fell

Near Antonyms of Slap

acclaim, applaud, approve, hail, commend, compliment, eulogize, praise, adulate, flatter, sweet-talk, exalt, glorify, honor, delight, gratify, please, satisfy, accolade, commendation, applause, adulation, flattery

Word Forms of Slap

Inflections: slapped, slapping

Origin & Etymology of Slap

akin to Low German slapp, noun blow

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Slap

Words & Phrases Containing Slap

slap down, slap on the wrist, slap shot, slap-up, slap around, slap on

Frequently Asked Questions about Slap

What does "Slap" mean?

"Slap" means to strike sharply with or as if with the open hand. As an a verb, a noun and an adverb, it is defined as: to strike sharply with or as if with the open hand. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Slap"?

Other words for "Slap" include bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob and bonk. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Slap" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Slap"?

There are 221 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Slap". Common alternatives include bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop and box.

How do you use "Slap" in a sentence?

Examples of "Slap" in a sentence: "she was so mad that she wanted to slap him right across the face"; "tired of jokes that slap people of faith"; "doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing".

Is "Slap" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Slap" can be used as a verb, a noun and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Slap" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Slap" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Slap"?

"Slap" is pronounced /ˈslap/.

What is the origin of the word "Slap"?

"Slap" comes from akin to Low German slapp, noun blow. First known use: 15th century.