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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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 hit
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
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
Fields was part of New Dallas, a loose collective of friends who advocate for peace and unity in the local rap scene, which emerged around 2023.
—Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
Has Timothée Chalamet rapped before?
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rap
Noun
Louisiana rap artist Boosie Badazz is asking for no prison time — only probation and community service — when he’s sentenced Friday for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Verb
Craig experienced both highs (multiple Star Quality challenge wins) and lows (twice ending up in the bottom two, including after his rapping talent show performance).
—Cite this Entry
“Rap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rap. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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