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
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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
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3
as in blame
responsibility for wrongdoing or failure
would sooner take the rap for the missing money than tell on his friend
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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
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as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
I don't care a rap about losing that old jacket
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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
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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
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as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the guys at the gym never seem to tire about rapping about basketball
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rap
Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 21 May 2025
Mo Chara, one of the three members of the Irish rap group Kneecap, has been charged with a terror offense for allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag during a concert, BBC News reports.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 21 May 2025
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025
Longoria rapped a couple hits in the finale of a so-so 2017 season then, stunningly, was traded to San Francisco a few months later.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2025
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Noun
Explore The Weeknd See latest videos, charts and news
This week: Pirates have raided the Indianapolis rap scene, The Weeknd has a big new era-capping movie out and ATL rap just keeps riding the comeback wave.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 21 May 2025
Mo Chara, one of the three members of the Irish rap group Kneecap, has been charged with a terror offense for allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag during a concert, BBC News reports.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 21 May 2025
Verb
The music video, released on Friday, takes viewers to East Atlanta as 2 Chainz raps about the city that made him.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025
Longoria rapped a couple hits in the finale of a so-so 2017 season then, stunningly, was traded to San Francisco a few months later.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.
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