1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
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2
as in thump
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
clapped him on the back as a friendly gesture
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clap
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Hijras use a distinctive hand clap using the flats of their hands.
—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and first lady Ri Sol Ju greeted Xi at the airport in Pyongyang, with official footage showing the pair clapping as Xi’s plane landed, kicking off his two-day state visit.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
The emotional high point comes at the bridge, when the song transforms into a stomp-clap rhythm and Rodrigo shouts the lyrics with abandon.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
Hijras use a distinctive hand clap using the flats of their hands.
—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Verb
After beating the throw to first base, Bowen clapped his hands together and hollered a few times.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and first lady Ri Sol Ju greeted Xi at the airport in Pyongyang, with official footage showing the pair clapping as Xi’s plane landed, kicking off his two-day state visit.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
Police said a witness heard a loud bang come from inside a home, where Chicago Fire Department paramedics were already treating the victim for a gunshot wound to the armpit when police arrived.—
Dylan Olsen,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Not long after, Jamison’s parents reported hearing a loud thump, as though someone had fallen, according to prosecutors.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
-
While playing Pragmata, the thump of approaching robots had solid directionality, and the weapon blasts had a good amount of low-end force.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.—
Andrew Muhammad,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
-
Aranda slapped an outside changeup on a line down the leftfield line, and the ball struck the screen on the fair side of foul pole for a three-run homer.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
India is seen as a laggard in the global AI race, but having the world’s second-largest workforce and relatively low labor costs has led to a boom in companies collecting data to train robots.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
25 June 2026
-
Visit Big Bear said the decision to move forward with the event was not made lightly and that organizers were working with the fireworks provider to reduce the loudest booms where possible.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
Emotionally, militarily, even symbolically, this is a devastating blow to the Black Queen and her cause.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
When Lucerys refuses, Aemond chases Lucerys on his dragon, seemingly meaning to injure him rather than kill him, but his dragon, Vhagar, delivers a fatal blow to Rhaenyra’s son.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Kara and Ruthye figure out the Brigands are trafficking young women for dastardly purposes, giving them yet another reason to smack some dudes around.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
-
Schwarber was able to work a walk, and then Derek Hill, another pinch hitter, came up and smacked a home run that gave Philadelphia the lead in a win over the Nationals.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
The blasts of noise and oregano at Kafeneion, a restaurant above a wine bar in a building across from the city’s Victorian-era Parliament House, ricocheted my brain to my one trip to Athens a dozen years earlier.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
-
While sitting on your porch or deck, a blast of air from a fan can help blow weak-flying mosquitoes away.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Beyond that, though, the Americans cannot afford to start with a thud, not with so many untrained eyes finally paying attention.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
Non-sterling objects produce a dull thud.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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