SLAPP

American

[slap] / slæp /

noun

Also called SLAPP suit. a civil lawsuit brought as an intimidation measure against an activist.

verb (used with object)

SLAPPed, SLAPPing

to bring a SLAPP against.

Etymology

Origin of SLAPP

1988, S(trategic) L(awsuit) A(gainst) P(ublic) P(articipation)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These laws, which stand for anti–strategic lawsuit against public participation law, or SLAPP, are meant to stop frivolous lawsuits by powerful companies and individuals looking to silence their critics and suppress protected speech.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2026

At the end of "SLAPP Suits," the host celebrates with a massive, Broadway-style victory dance that makes previous punchlines at Murray’s expense look cheap and small.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2025

SLAPP, or strategic lawsuits against public participation, refers to court filings made to intimidate or silence critics.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2024

"SLAPP" is short for "strategic lawsuits against public participation."

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2018

Some courts, said Mirell, have tossed out defamation cases based on anti-SLAPP statutes — a suit that seeks to censor, intimidate and silence critics is known as a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2017

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023