abofetear

To slap someone across the face with an open hand — a direct, common verb for a specific violent act, distinct from golpear (to hit generally, with fist, object, etc.).

• La abofeteó en un ataque de rabia. — He slapped her in a fit of rage.
• Nunca había sido abofeteado delante de tanta gente. — He had never been slapped in front of so many people.
• El actor la abofetea en la escena más tensa de la película. — The actor slaps her in the film's most tense scene.

Don't use abofetear as a generic "to hit" — it specifically means an open-hand slap to the face, whereas golpear or pegar cover hitting more broadly.

Often confused with golpear.