1
2
as in splashes
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 overlaps
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 wraps
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 laps
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The horses and jockeys make three laps around a square known as the Piazza del Campo, with each race typically lasting less than 90 seconds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Along with pre-match huddles and post-match laps of appreciation, those moments are how City are trying to build bonds in their new-look team.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
When the lights go out and the sound of 20 engines thundering to life cuts through the crowd’s silent anticipation, all eyes in the grandstands will fix on the race for 56 laps.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Athletes sprint around laps on skis, while carrying a rifle, pausing two to four times (depending on the event) to fire at targets nearly 55 yards away while standing and lying down.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Stenhouse’s win required a 500 record 212 laps.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Now our laps were constantly occupied.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
Each member of the team will take two laps on the course, in alternating order.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
People run laps around a local Chipotle store, log the miles on Strava, and the winner gets a year of free burritos.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
Standing up from the couch several times, marching in place during TV breaks or walking laps around your living space can gently raise your heart rate, according to Mount Sinai Health System.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The first laps on track mark a historic milestone; the culmination of thousands of hours of work, driven by pure passion.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The Hollywood Broadwalk provides the ocean on one side and breakfast on the other; the Palm Beach Lake Trail allows for a look into the backyards of the one-percenters, while the water laps up on the other side.
—Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
For many years, Jones ran laps around the Dean Spanoses of the NFL.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Milestone laps at 2,000, 5,000 and 9,000 rides were taken with friends he’s made at DCA or Radiator Springs Racers cast members — Disney parlance for employees.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Tom Hanks had that easy jog in Forrest Gump; Peter Strauss channeled frustration into his prison laps in The Jericho Mile; Franka Potente balled up her fists and ran for her boyfriend’s life in Run Lola Run.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
With just under 10 laps to go, Corey LaJoie (RFK’s Open car entry) was running right behind Brad Keselowski, who was passing cars and controlling the lines like the superspeedway ace could.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The horses and jockeys make three laps around a square known as the Piazza del Campo, with each race typically lasting less than 90 seconds.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Along with pre-match huddles and post-match laps of appreciation, those moments are how City are trying to build bonds in their new-look team.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
When the lights go out and the sound of 20 engines thundering to life cuts through the crowd’s silent anticipation, all eyes in the grandstands will fix on the race for 56 laps.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Athletes sprint around laps on skis, while carrying a rifle, pausing two to four times (depending on the event) to fire at targets nearly 55 yards away while standing and lying down.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Stenhouse’s win required a 500 record 212 laps.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Now our laps were constantly occupied.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Feb. 2026
Each member of the team will take two laps on the course, in alternating order.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Running laps around luxury Hechter wasn’t imagining a Gen Z takeover of her hometown race.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
People run laps around a local Chipotle store, log the miles on Strava, and the winner gets a year of free burritos.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
Standing up from the couch several times, marching in place during TV breaks or walking laps around your living space can gently raise your heart rate, according to Mount Sinai Health System.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The first laps on track mark a historic milestone; the culmination of thousands of hours of work, driven by pure passion.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The Hollywood Broadwalk provides the ocean on one side and breakfast on the other; the Palm Beach Lake Trail allows for a look into the backyards of the one-percenters, while the water laps up on the other side.
—Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
For many years, Jones ran laps around the Dean Spanoses of the NFL.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
Milestone laps at 2,000, 5,000 and 9,000 rides were taken with friends he’s made at DCA or Radiator Springs Racers cast members — Disney parlance for employees.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025
Tom Hanks had that easy jog in Forrest Gump; Peter Strauss channeled frustration into his prison laps in The Jericho Mile; Franka Potente balled up her fists and ran for her boyfriend’s life in Run Lola Run.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laps
legs
Noun
-
Unlike modern probes that descend on landing legs, Luna 9 jettisoned its orientation modules during descent and fired a braking engine.—
Ilya Ferapontov,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The pose involves lying on the floor with the legs resting vertically against a wall.—
Chloe Burcham,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laps. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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