applauded; applauding; applauds
: to express approval especially by clapping the hands
The audience applauded at the end of the performance.
1
: to express approval of : praise
I applaud her efforts to lose weight.
2
: to show approval of especially by clapping the hands
Spectators applauded the team.
Examples of applaud in a Sentence
Everyone applauded the graduates as they entered the auditorium.
The audience stood and applauded her performance.
We applaud the decision to lower taxes.
I applaud their efforts to clean up the city, but they must do more.
Rather than being criticized for her honesty, she should be applauded for it.
Recent Examples on the Web
On the touchline, meanwhile, Guardiola was extremely animated, pleading with his fans to have patience and applauding Ake’s more conservative decision.
—
Thom Harris, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
After Fitzgerald’s death, a wave of eulogies applauded the author, and at least a couple of them hailed his Jazz Age novel as a classic.
—Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Daughter's Prank On Mom in Starbucks Drive-Thru Goes Viral
By
Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member
news article
0
A stranger waiting in line at Starbucks was left shocked when a mom asked her to buy her toddler a snack—and the internet has applauded her response.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
College experts largely applauded the move, which was prompted by court challenges and lawsuits filed by affected students and their lawyers, as a win for students and higher education overall, but the gains could be short lived.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for applaud
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.
Thom Harris, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
After Fitzgerald’s death, a wave of eulogies applauded the author, and at least a couple of them hailed his Jazz Age novel as a classic.
—Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Daughter's Prank On Mom in Starbucks Drive-Thru Goes Viral
By
Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member
news article
0
A stranger waiting in line at Starbucks was left shocked when a mom asked her to buy her toddler a snack—and the internet has applauded her response.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
College experts largely applauded the move, which was prompted by court challenges and lawsuits filed by affected students and their lawyers, as a win for students and higher education overall, but the gains could be short lived.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for applaud
Cite this Entry
“Applaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applaud. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
applaud
verb
ap·plaud
ə-ˈplȯd 
1
: praise sense 1, approve
applaud their efforts
2
: to show approval especially by clapping the hands
applauder
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share