as in overlap
a partial covering of one thing by an adjoining member
the lapping of the roofing shingles should be several inches in order to avoid leaks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
the creek lapped along through the ravine before collecting in the pond
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in overlapping
to lie over parts of one another
the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in wrapping
to surround or cover closely
this recording of the symphony is sure to lap listeners in stereophonic bliss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lapping
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
—Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
So following it up with a powder-soft beach—the lapping of a warm Indian ocean acting as your evening lullaby—is a pretty perfect ending.
—Pippa De Bruyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 May 2026
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The lapping waves that arrive shortly thereafter are an alarming detour, but their presence quickly feels normal.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
The Great Lakes boast some of America's niftiest beach areas—and yes, there are actually waves lapping the shore at this Midwest family vacation destination.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Snyder is lapping Brown to start the playoffs.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
As Rahm was lapping the field at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico, LIV fired off a press release announcing that the league would be returning to the same venue in 2027.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
From curling waves and the golden sands along the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the warm Gulf of Mexico waters gently lapping onto the white sand beaches to the west, there truly is a beach for everyone.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Wave percale sheets are guaranteed to lull you to sleep, like you’re being rocked by the gentle lapping of the ocean.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
From my perch on a sun lounger, Friendship Bay stretches out below me – the curve of the powdery sand beach, the impossible blue of the sea and the calming lapping of the waves against the shore.
—Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
As Amanyara’s resident wellness expert guided me through a sound healing session and harmonized the vibrations of a Tibetan singing bowl, the lapping of the ocean waves seemed to still.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
When the lapping reaches your knees, start to worry.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The lapping of the sea at our language is not a difficult concept to fathom.
—Adrian Vore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
So following it up with a powder-soft beach—the lapping of a warm Indian ocean acting as your evening lullaby—is a pretty perfect ending.
—Pippa De Bruyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
The neighborhood/area Facing the Arabian Sea, this resort is front and center to gentle breezes and lapping waves.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Cassie’s OnlyFans journey begins with her making content posing as a dog, replete with dog ears, collar, leash, wrist cuffs, tail, and a satin corset from Sweeney’s lingerie line SYRN, bending over and lapping up water from a bowl on the ground.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 May 2026
With azure water lapping sandy beaches, lazy days spent frolicking in Lake Maggiore are a huge draw.
—Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The lapping waves that arrive shortly thereafter are an alarming detour, but their presence quickly feels normal.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
The Great Lakes boast some of America's niftiest beach areas—and yes, there are actually waves lapping the shore at this Midwest family vacation destination.
—Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Snyder is lapping Brown to start the playoffs.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
As Rahm was lapping the field at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico, LIV fired off a press release announcing that the league would be returning to the same venue in 2027.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
From curling waves and the golden sands along the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the warm Gulf of Mexico waters gently lapping onto the white sand beaches to the west, there truly is a beach for everyone.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapping
Noun
-
Honestly, with more than 800 episodes, every NFL team could do a Simpsons schedule release video, and there wouldn't be too much overlap.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
And then shifting chords where the harmonies overlap, so there’s a moment of dissonance.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
So, the league is washing its hands of what the Chargers or any other teams might do to troll the Patriots.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Modern Perspectives on Laundry Sorting With the growing popularity of large-capacity front-loading washers in the late 1990s, consumers welcomed the possibility of washing all of the dirty laundry in the hamper at the same time.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Also use a mulch to keep the fungal spores from splashing between plants.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
Kreischer and his crew take over the beach, stomping on the Carolina Panthers’ sand castle, cutting the line of the Falcons’ kite and splashing the Detroit Lions, Vikings and Packers with the wake of a jet ski.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The prices that businesses are paying for goods have risen sharply, according to data released Wednesday, the latest data point showing that knock-on effects from the Iran war are rapidly rippling across the economy.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
Surging raw material costs have started rippling through industrial sectors as well.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The last five millennia have typically seen a great diversity of co-existing political forms—sometimes overlapping and symbiotic, sometimes divided and incommensurable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
So natural that the Thunder hardly nursed any championship hangover amid overlapping injuries.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The sky is threatening rain on an early Wednesday evening, but that hasn’t stopped a line of people from wrapping around a tall brick building in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
-
The suit also featured a sleek black strap running down her torso, with the top wrapping around her bodice.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The Armorer says that after removing his helmet, he can only be redeemed by bathing in the Living Waters on Mandalore.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
That said, bathing regularly with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser can be helpful.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In both competitive partisan races and in Democrat-on-Democrat contests, analysts say frustration about the economy is bubbling up from voters.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Reduce heat to 350° and continue to bake until filling is actively bubbling through the center and biscuits are deep golden brown, 50–65 minutes more.—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapping. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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