1
as in indictment
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person
the headlines in the paper today are all about the mayor facing an embezzlement rap
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the doctor used a little hammer to give me a rap on the knee to test my reflexes
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
would sooner take the rap for the missing money than tell on his friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
after our pickup softball game, I had a friendly rap with a couple of the guys in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
I don't care a rap about losing that old jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to smack
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
a childhood memory of the time he got his knuckles rapped for trying to steal candy from the corner store
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to drum
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
the impatient man was rapping his knuckles on the door, hoping to wake up the sleeping attendant
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the guys at the gym never seem to tire about rapping about basketball
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to entrance
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight)
concertgoers were utterly rapped by the power of Handel's oratorio
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
suddenly the hawk swooped down and rapped the unwary rodent
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 rap
Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
By 2012, the Chicagoan had graduated from high school into rap stardom.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2025
Andy Samberg's digital short on SNL's long history of anxiety was incisive and smart — and featured a fun rapping cameo from Chris Parnell!
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rap
Noun
Jonathan Metzl, a professor of sociology and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, noted the starkly contrasting reactions to the halftime show featuring rap star Kendrick Lamar, many of them colorfully expressed on social media.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
By 2012, the Chicagoan had graduated from high school into rap stardom.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
The event will feature Nineties rap all-stars including Lil’ Kim, Redman & Method Man, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, DJ Quik, Raekwon, E-40, Goodie Mob, Havoc (of Mobb Deep), and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2025
Andy Samberg's digital short on SNL's long history of anxiety was incisive and smart — and featured a fun rapping cameo from Chris Parnell!
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rap
Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rap. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share