applaud

verb ap·plaud \ ə-ˈplȯd \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: applaud in a Sentence

Definition of applaud

applauded; applauding; applauds

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.

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applaudable

play \-ˈplȯ-də-bəl\ adjective

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applaudably

play \-blē\ adverb

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applauder

noun

See applaud defined for English-language learners

See applaud defined for kids

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 of applaud from the Web

The game was applauded for covering serious topics like online harassment and teenage suicide over the course of its five-episode run.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Life is Strange 2’s first episode arrives on September 27th," 22 June 2018
As a director and an actor, John Krasinski should be applauded for knowing the power of a close-up on a face.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "A Quiet Place Silently Jangles the Nerves," 7 Apr. 2018
They should be applauded for their vigilant pursuit of not hating.

— michael harriot, The Root, "The Root’s Clapback Mailbag: The Wypipo Participation Trophy," 6 Apr. 2018
Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, often applauds digital disrupters such as Airbnb and Deliveroo.

— The Economist, "Good capitalism v bad capitalism," 7 June 2018
The images have been well-received online, with people applauding the company for showcasing women who are normally underrepresented in fashion ads.

— michelle gant, Fox News, "Aerie's latest inclusive campaign featuring women with disabilities and medical conditions praised online," 12 July 2018
Piper Rooney, president of the academic senate, applauded the graduates for taking on more than the average student, including taking care of children, elderly family members and working 40 hours a week.

— alejandra reyes-velarde, latimes.com, "Glendale Community College graduates look to future endeavors," 16 June 2018
Global fund managers are applauding a move by India to deregulate the prices of bonds sold by the country’s states, which could spur overseas interest in the $350 billion market even if there are short-term losses.

— subhadip sircar, Bloomberg.com, "Pain for India's State Bond Market Is Good, Investors Say," 15 June 2018
Last month, Gates applauded UCF for providing an affordable and flexible education, saying the university’s online courses helped make college accessible to more students.

— annie martin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bill Gates praises 'limbitless' UCF student startup," 12 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.