applaud

verb

ap·plaud | \ ə-ˈplȯd

applauded; applauding; applauds

Definition of applaud

intransitive verb

: to express approval especially by clapping the hands The audience applauded at the end of the performance.

transitive verb

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.

Other Words from applaud Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about applaud

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Other Words from applaud

applaudable \ -ˈplȯ-də-bəl

\ adjective

applaudably \ -blē

\ adverb

applauder noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for applaud

Synonyms

acclaim, accredit, cheer, crack up, hail, laud, praise, salute, tout

Antonyms

knock, pan, slam

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

As trade schools’ bottom-line ethic is being applauded, many four-year institutions are, perhaps not coincidentally, struggling with an economic and identity crisis. — Chuck Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "The State of American Trade Schools," 13 Mar. 2019 France meanwhile has attempted a balancing act that includes a tougher stance on taxes and privacy while applauding local investments such as Samsung’s in artificial intelligence labs. — Marie Mawad, Bloomberg.com, "Google, Uber Execs Top the Guest List for Macron's Tech Huddle," 16 May 2018 An elated Kelly hugged and applauded the pair after their song. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "Kelly Clarkson Sang With Police Officers at Her Concert and the Response Was So Powerful," 23 Feb. 2019 At one point during the concert, Mrs. Trump and some of the others applauded prematurely. — Washington Post, "US first lady welcomed in Belgium with music and fashion," 11 July 2018 Gunners fans will no doubt applaud their new manager's evident determination to tighten Arsenal's porous defence. — SI.com, "Arsenal Linked With Young Bundesliga Star as Unai Emery Seeks to Rebuild the Gunners' Defence," 9 July 2018 Do not applaud anyone who engages in name-calling or ad hominem attacks. — Dan Rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Rodricks: 10 ways to be a great American citizen for the Fourth of July," 3 July 2018 The chamber’s three million members applauded Trump’s business tax cuts in December, but the organization has distanced itself from the president since his call for new tariffs against China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. — Renae Reints, Fortune, "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Is Fighting Trump's Tariffs with Facts," 2 July 2018 Since the story premiered, lots of people have applauded their size representation and have emphasized the importance of having Holiday's message on a platform like SELF. — refinery29.com, "FYI, Body Positivity Is Not "Dangerous" Or Bad For Your Health," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'applaud.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.