1
as in harvesting
to catch or collect (a crop or natural resource) for human use
my great-grandfather had to reap the wheat on his family farm with a hand scythe
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in earning
to receive as return for effort
if you continue to work hard at musicianship, you will reap the rewards of being a concert pianist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of reaping
At the end of the 19th century, the United States took the island by force and set up its own lucrative sugar colony, with mainland corporations controlling a significant share of production and reaping massive profits.
—
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
From Bengaluru to Berlin, Boston to São Paulo, Shenzhen to Seoul, cities are reaping the benefits of establishing and supporting dynamic research and development (R&D) hubs.
—Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Essentially, the Bulls carry a wealth of cap space with the ability to take on money from other teams while reaping as much value as possible from players who were already on their way out.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
But critics say data centers are already reaping too much of the state's good will.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Feb. 2026
Clubs that embrace this mindset are reaping the cultural and financial rewards.
—Steve Skinner, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The money flowing into AI and new technology has been a major source of debate on Wall Street as investors increasingly want to see that companies are reaping rewards from the massive spending over the last year.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Just as that film brought awards for its director and star, Fernanda Torres, The Secret Agent is reaping similar benefits, with the Golden Globes giving its coveted Best Actor award to Wagner Moura for his title role as an academic on the run from an authoritarian government in 1977 Brazil.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Stetson, which celebrated its 160th anniversary last year, is also reaping the benefits of the heritage movement.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
From Bengaluru to Berlin, Boston to São Paulo, Shenzhen to Seoul, cities are reaping the benefits of establishing and supporting dynamic research and development (R&D) hubs.
—Abdulla Belhoul, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Essentially, the Bulls carry a wealth of cap space with the ability to take on money from other teams while reaping as much value as possible from players who were already on their way out.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
But critics say data centers are already reaping too much of the state's good will.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Feb. 2026
Clubs that embrace this mindset are reaping the cultural and financial rewards.
—Steve Skinner, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The money flowing into AI and new technology has been a major source of debate on Wall Street as investors increasingly want to see that companies are reaping rewards from the massive spending over the last year.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Just as that film brought awards for its director and star, Fernanda Torres, The Secret Agent is reaping similar benefits, with the Golden Globes giving its coveted Best Actor award to Wagner Moura for his title role as an academic on the run from an authoritarian government in 1977 Brazil.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Stetson, which celebrated its 160th anniversary last year, is also reaping the benefits of the heritage movement.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reaping
Verb
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That includes recording audio through your phone’s microphone, harvesting messages, contacts and account details, stealing photos and other files, making calls, even wiping the device.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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They’re each charged with burglary and illegally harvesting a tarpon.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Liu surprised fans when retiring a month after earning a bronze medal at the ‘22 World Championships.—
Elliott Almond,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Indiana Senate passes under-the-radar provision scrapping 'low-earning' college degrees.—
Evan Frank,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Only Nick Brinkerhoff is picking the Seahawks to win in blowout fashion, by a score of 34-17.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So, Horse years in general are all about independence, with women gaining it in great strides.—
Annabel Gat,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
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Other likely contenders in 2028 are gaining notoriety by holding the administration accountable in the present.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Working in Northwest Arkansas since 1990, Tom has been an award-winning reporter, a columnist and city editor and an editorial page editor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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Florida’s season took off from there and reached new heights, ending with a 12-game winning streak and the school’s third national championship.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reading the room, sensing discontent, having an antenna for misunderstandings among followers is not only key to garnering support but also to preventing resistance that can endanger your success.—
Paul Vanderbroeck,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
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Girls’ participation is booming — between the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, 25,000 more girls signed up for high school flag football and it was offered in nearly 1,000 more schools — in a trend that’s garnering significant coverage and celebration.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson called Garland one of his favorite players and seemed to take comfort in handing him off to Lue, who is known for getting the most out of his players.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Otherwise, past travelers note that Anse Source d’Argent can get busy, and your fellow tourists may prevent you from getting that picture-perfect moment.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rather than making a dispassionate case against the idea that the country was founded to enslave Africans, MAGA is taking down plaques commemorating basic facts, such as Washington’s slaveholding.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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This week, a 51-year-old woman was sentenced to federal prison for making far-out and ultimately weightless accusations – that her former spouse had illegally accessed her bank account as an astronaut aboard the International Space Station in the summer of 2019.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reaping. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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