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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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
After the pair aggressively jousted for runner-up during the final laps, Lapcevich drove into Heim’s right side during the cool-down lap. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 The rest of the team stays in the tunnel while the rookie hits the ice for warmups first and skates by himself for a couple of laps. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 While Starship achieved the proper orbit, zipping along at 17,500 mph, flight controllers opted to play it safe and bring it back several hours sooner, after just a couple of laps. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026 Retaking the lead from Chase Briscoe with seven laps left, Larson won for the second time in three races and took control of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase. — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 Moreover, these buses are packed, with kids needing to somehow keep their backpacks, sports equipment and instruments on their laps. — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 Gibbs and Hocevar exchanged the lead four times in the final 100 laps. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
After an initial delay because of a storm, drivers were meant to do two formation laps behind the safety car to scout out the conditions before getting under way. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 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
  • Mensah scores with his legs Darian Mensah with a 34-yard touchdown run.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • With the Cougars missing one of the best running backs in the country, BYU was forced to lean more on the legs of Bachmeier.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 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
  • The Super Heavy first stage is expected to make a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico while the Ship upper stage splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Chile.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Across the street, the Llano River splashes its way over limestone formations and into reed thickets.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 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
  • To Lose Their Citizenship Abraham noted during a Q&A at NYFF that much of the film overlaps with previous reporting and that atrocities in Gaza have been documented for years.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The NHL‘s regular season starts with five games, which overlaps with the start of MLB’s playoffs that same day.
    — Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of overlaps
Verb
  • Extending the golf course to the water’s edge probably would have to be coordinated with the reconstruction of the long-deteriorating sea wall that wraps around the peninsula.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The shoes feature a wide slingback strap that wraps around the back of the foot, while a dainty bow is perched right at the vamp.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of wraps
Verb
  • The cinematography captures the lush expanse of the desert and bathes the characters in dark blues while never leaving the frame murky, and the use of steadicam and exaggerated zoom-ins plants the film’s feet more firmly in its ’80s inspirations.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of bathes
Verb
  • This is the antithetical froth that bubbles up in their wake, and it is never left completely behind.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But the gas that’s released in larger quantities is methane, which forms underwater as plants and algae break down and then bubbles to the surface.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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