1
as in banging
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
Relevance
2
as in drumming
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 chatting
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 transporting
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 grabbing
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 rapping
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Fresh off last week’s historic Album of the Year Grammy win, Spanish-rapping Bad Bunny brought his singular stamp of joy to Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX, starting in a sugar cane field, in what many termed a cultural game changer.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
People are coming to see the musicians, not anybody rapping or singing or anything like that.
—Donald Fountain, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Last season, despite rapping out more hits than any other National League player, Arraez’s OPS+ graded out as 99.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
However, Badu re-recorded the chorus for the take included on The Roots’ 1999 studio album Things Fall Apart, which also features Eve rapping the second verse.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Weeks of attention-seeking gestures — rapping about lean with EsDeeKid, referencing deep Kirk Franklin cuts with Druski, and memorializing moments in basketball history with Melo — broadcasted inner-city cool to people who aren’t often visited by someone with Oscar buzz.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
The first half is earnest, almost singing, followed by rapping after the beat switch.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026
The girls have spent months or years training in singing, dancing, rapping and performing – all while following demanding exercise and diet regimens.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bad Bunny stood in the tall grass below, holding a Puerto Rican independence movement flag, before climbing an empty pole to a narrow platform, rapping all the while.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Fresh off last week’s historic Album of the Year Grammy win, Spanish-rapping Bad Bunny brought his singular stamp of joy to Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX, starting in a sugar cane field, in what many termed a cultural game changer.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
People are coming to see the musicians, not anybody rapping or singing or anything like that.
—Donald Fountain, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Last season, despite rapping out more hits than any other National League player, Arraez’s OPS+ graded out as 99.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
However, Badu re-recorded the chorus for the take included on The Roots’ 1999 studio album Things Fall Apart, which also features Eve rapping the second verse.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026
Weeks of attention-seeking gestures — rapping about lean with EsDeeKid, referencing deep Kirk Franklin cuts with Druski, and memorializing moments in basketball history with Melo — broadcasted inner-city cool to people who aren’t often visited by someone with Oscar buzz.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
The first half is earnest, almost singing, followed by rapping after the beat switch.
—Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026
The girls have spent months or years training in singing, dancing, rapping and performing – all while following demanding exercise and diet regimens.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapping. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
