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

While some environmental groups have applauded the efforts to clean up oceans by eliminating plastic straws, disability rights groups have said that a total ban on would negatively affect people with physical disabilities. — Erin Corbett, Fortune, "These 8 Companies Are Ditching Plastic Straws. Here’s How They Are Replacing Them," 11 July 2018 Public Citizen, the research and advocacy group that has called for an independent investigation of the study’s funding, applauded the suspension of the study. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, "After controversy over industry funding, NIH halts enrollment in moderate drinking study," 17 May 2018 The group, which was founded in 2012, applauded Spotify’s hate content and hateful conduct policy and hopes the open letter will urge other streaming platforms to follow Spotify’s lead. — Fiza Pirani, ajc, "Spotify should ban Chris Brown, Eminem and others after R. Kelly music ousted, women’s group says," 16 May 2018 Geoffrey Croft, founder of NYC Park Advocates, an advocacy group, applauded the Trust’s decision to allow for overnight stays and said the park has done a good job with its programming. — Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, "The Latest ‘Glamping’ Destination: Governors Island," 12 May 2018 Cassandra Snyder, the actress who plays Bland, applauds Rome's vision and willingness to create a space of discomfort and anger in which to discuss police brutality. — Ariel Parrella-aureli, Chicago Reader, "365 Ways to Kill an American offers a new perspective on police brutality," 12 July 2018 On social media, people applauded Jalil’s mad lip syncing skills. — Johnny Diaz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boca Raton cop wows social media by lip-syncing to 'Frozen' song," 10 July 2018 All the team and the back room applaud our input to the game. — Danica Kirka, The Seattle Times, "Coach of England wins the nation’s heart by being a nice guy," 10 July 2018 Skeptics will applaud this essay’s demise as a return to a test that measures real aptitude. — Naomi Schaefer Riley, WSJ, "Save the SAT Writing Test," 8 July 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.