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View synonyms for

slap

1

[slap]

noun

  1. a sharp blow or smack, especially with the open hand or with something flat.

  2. a sound made by or as if by such a blow or smack.

    the slap of the waves against the dock.

  3. a sharply worded or sarcastic rebuke or comment.



verb (used with object)

slapped, slapping 
  1. to strike sharply, especially with the open hand or with something flat.

  2. to bring (the hand, something flat, etc.) with a sharp blow against something.

  3. to dash or cast forcibly.

    He slapped the package against the wall.

  4. to put or place promptly and sometimes haphazardly (often followed byon ).

    The officer slapped a ticket on the car. He slapped mustard on the sandwich.

adverb

  1. Informal.directly; straight; smack.

    The tug rammed slap into the side of the freighter.

verb phrase

    1. to subdue, especially by a blow or by force; suppress.

    2. to reject, oppose, or criticize sharply.

      to slap down dissenting voices.

slap

2

[slap]

noun

  1. a gap or opening, as in a fence, wall, cloud bank, or line of troops.

  2. a mountain pass.

  3. a wound or gash.

verb (used with object)

slapped, slapping 
  1. to make a gap or opening in; breach.

slap

/ æ /

noun

  1. a sharp blow or smack, as with the open hand, something flat, etc

  2. the sound made by or as if by such a blow

  3. a sharp rebuke; reprimand

  4. informalsexual play

  5. an insult or rebuff

  6. congratulation

  7. a light punishment or reprimand

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to strike (a person or thing) sharply, as with the open hand or something flat

  2. (tr) to bring down (the hand, something flat, etc) sharply

  3. to strike (something) with or as if with a slap

  4. informal(tr) to apply in large quantities, haphazardly, etc

    she slapped butter on the bread

  5. to congratulate

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. exactly; directly

    slap on time

  2. forcibly or abruptly

    to fall slap on the floor

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • slapper noun
  • ˈ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of slap1

First recorded in 1625–35; from Low German slapp(e); of expressive origin

Origin of slap2

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English slop(e) “inroad made into enemy ranks,” from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German; cognate with German Schlupf “hiding place”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of slap1

C17: from Low German slapp, German Schlappe, of imitative origin
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. slap on the wrist, relatively mild criticism or censure.

    He got away with a slap on the wrist.

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Synonym Study

See blow 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“In the end, these criminals are getting a few years of prison time for ruining the lives of so many people and forever damaging so many people. It’s a slap on the wrist.”

From

Washington's decision to slap large tariffs on Australian goods earlier this year did not inspire confidence either, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it was clearly "not the act of a friend".

From

Which makes it a shame when Song feels compelled to slap on a happy ending that you simply don’t think she believes.

From

One of the most memorable scenes is a fight between Yasmin and Harper, which culminates with them slapping each other.

From

The same email said that once the care assistant returned and found Alice she slapped her.

From

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Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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