laps 1 of 3

noun

plural of lap
as in legs
a portion of a trip we were on the last lap of the journey, eagerly heading for home

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laps

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of lap
1
as in washes
to flow along or against the waves gently lapped the sandy shore

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
3
as in ripples
to move with a splashing motion a stiff breeze that was causing the lake waters to lap against the hull with some force

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laps

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of lap
1
as in overlaps
to lie over parts of one another the armadillo's plates lap tightly so as to form a protective shield

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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

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 laps
Noun
Roman, named after the woman at NASA who championed the Hubble telescope, will run explorational laps around the 36-year-old observatory. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 But Leclerc stayed out for several laps, aggravating Hamilton in the process. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 The drivers completed 147 laps around the track to get to 250 miles total driven. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Points leader Denny Hamlin also rebounded from a pit stop miscue that dropped the Joe Gibbs Racing driver outside the top 15 with less than 100 laps remaining. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly spent the closing laps fighting over ninth, while Yuki Tsunoda struggled to make progress on aging tires in eleventh. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Drivers will tackle 147 laps, for a total of just under 250 miles each. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026 Sunday’s IndyCar Series race will consist of 147 laps, creating a 250-mile race in honor of America 250. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
The 250-mile race, or 147 laps around the track, is expected to take about 3 hours to finish and will be broadcast live on Fox. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 The race will consist of 147 laps around a course at the east end of the National Mall. — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Today, just a shallow pool laps around the base of the 336 marble columns that support the structure. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026 Two laps later, Verstappen made a late move under braking, diving past the Ferrari at Turn 1. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 July 2026 To focus on your upper body, use a pull buoy between your legs while swimming laps. — Patricia Neligan, AJC.com, 27 July 2026 Adult cats that haven’t nursed in over a decade will still knead blankets, laps and each other, with no milk anywhere in the picture. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Trump’s announcement took some off guard and upended the housing victory laps lawmakers had planned. — Cq Roll Call, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026 Wolhers and her daughter were among the 65 people walking laps around the one-third-mile path Saturday at Hinkston Park in the park district’s annual Go Waukegan walk series designed for the purpose that Rachel Wolhers sought. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laps
  1. legs
  2. washes
  3. splashes
  4. ripples
  5. overlaps
  6. wraps
  7. bathes
  8. bubbles
Noun
  • Cole had noticed the legs of their dining table and the Bakelite switches in Murphy’s house.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from the standard three pairs of legs, this specimen had an abdomen that sprouted another nine pairs of appendages.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of legs
Verb
  • On the traditional-spa side, a JetPeel facial using Augustinus Bader products essentially pressure-washes my skin with nutrient-rich serums.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … CREATOR'S REMORSE — TV legend Oprah washes her hands of any association with Dr Phil or Dr Oz.
    — , FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of washes
Verb
  • Across the street, the Llano River splashes its way over limestone formations and into reed thickets.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
  • Harry Kane splashes his face with ice water during a hydration break for a FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match on July 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
    — Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of splashes
Verb
  • One of the more surreal responses to that experience is applause, which ripples through the audience of Paranormal Activity a beat after all the major scares, like rain settling in after a peal of thunder.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • David Powell, Ethara’s chief portfolio and strategy officer, tells Fortune the race is Abu Dhabi’s version of the Super Bowl, a single weekend that ripples through the economy by driving tourism, hospitality spend and temporary employment.
    — Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ripples
Verb
  • Early last season, Unrivaled faced schedule overlaps with major sporting events including the Olympics and the College Football Playoff.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • My favorite detail on these pull-on pants is the hem, which overlaps to form an almost tulip-petal look.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlaps
Verb
  • The result is a silhouette that—hence the name—actually wraps around the face like a heart.
    — Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • After hair wraps around the inner piece, just pull it out, wipe it off, and pop it back in.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of wraps
Verb
  • Its southern exposure means sun bathes the area on a clear day while the view from the kitchen sink window takes in the beautiful landscaping at the rear of the home.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Inside, indirect light bathes the alder-wood paneling in warmth and tranquility.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Definition of bathes
Verb
  • Bubble sheet masks are made up of thin pieces of fabric that are saturated with a solution, which bubbles up as the mask sits on the skin.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Otherwise, plan to clean the bottom of the oven anytime a dish bubbles over.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
Definition of bubbles

Browse Nearby Words

lapping (up)
laps
lapse
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Cite this Entry

“Laps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laps. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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