tapping 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of tappingnext
present participle of tap
as in drumming
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically tapped her foot in time to the music kept tapping the desk with his pencil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

tapping

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of tap
as in draining
to remove (liquid) gradually or completely the oil company tapped that first well completely dry

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 tapping
Verb
Meanwhile, newcomer Belle Frantz made her Opry debut by tapping Parton's love of gospel music. — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 This led to a segment on Newsmax in which anchor Carl Higbie deleted one Jelly Roll song from his phone on air, demonstrating the apparent righteous power of tapping a touch-screen button. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 Levi’s has also been tapping nostalgia and celebrities like Beyoncé to great success in the last few years, while Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters have also re-elevated their brands. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 Goodell was as good as his word, and the practice of double-tapping viewers with post-TD marketing messages is now about as defunct as the barefooted placekicker of yore. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 With the Bucs trailing 9-0 early in the third quarter, Jalon Daniels rolled to his right and spotted Patterson near the right sideline for a lunging, toe-tapping 24-yard reception to set up the game’s first touchdown. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 The Huskers are tapping areas close to home with less frequency. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 When the trainers drove Austin off the field, co-owner John Mara followed them in a golf cart, got out, walked over and consoled the receiver, tapping Austin on the helmet and shoulder pads. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 That’s why some are tapping these chains of Mac minis or Mac Studios. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tapping
  1. drumming
  2. draining
  3. banging
  4. pumping
Verb
  • The service As guests step foot on Jumeirah Olhahali Island, they are greeted with a joyous traditional Maldivian Boduberu dance accompanied by drumming and harmonious chants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Welsh drummer who formerly performed with AC/DC, David Gilmour and more has decided to permanently take a step back from drumming.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of drumming
Verb
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The law paved the way for thousands of victims to sue their abusers but has been criticized for draining the coffers of local governments.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of draining
Verb
  • Fast-forward five centuries later to modern-day Seattle, and Liz is forever banging her head hearing her husband's persistent little cough.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Your plumber can also make sure pipes are well secured so the banging stops.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • Land Rover is pumping the brakes on the all-electric Defender.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Slowing down pumping velocities prevents dangerous suction vortices from forming near the ceiling intake.
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pumping

Browse Nearby Words

tapped out
tapping
taproom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All