applaud

ap·plaud | \ ə-ˈplȯd

How to pronounce applaud (audio)

\

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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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 Seattle has been roundly applauded for its collaborative, science-driven, and generally quite effective response to COVID-19. — Erika Fry, Fortune, "Takeaways from the Seattle business community’s Back To Work toolkit," 14 May 2020 Nordstrom has been applauded by industry analysts for adding online components to its retail strategy earlier than many others. — oregonlive, "Nordstrom permanently closing 16 full-line stores as it adapts to coronavirus era," 6 May 2020 Both of which should be applauded, as the Cowboys added experienced depth at important positions without breaking the bank. — John Owning, Dallas News, "Film room: A trio of free agents who could still help the Dallas Cowboys," 4 May 2020 The push was applauded by groups such as the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition, which assert that California has not gone far enough to ease debt collection during the emergency. — Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, "Moratorium on debt collection during coronavirus crisis urged by L.A. City Council," 29 Apr. 2020 Noses that could detect the difference were applauded. — Mark M. Smith, The Conversation, "Welcome to your sensory revolution, thanks to the pandemic," 27 Apr. 2020 They’d be heavily applauded by drafting the playmaking Queen out of their own backyard. — Arizona Republic, "Isaiah Simmons to Arizona Cardinals: NFL insider stays with Clemson LB in final mock draft," 22 Apr. 2020 We are applauded for endangering our lives to help others, but in reality, there is seldom a choice. — Musaub Khan, The New Republic, "The Problem With Heroizing Health Care Workers Like Me," 20 Apr. 2020 Although the bill failed, its goal was applauded by many. — Daniel R. Mandell, Time, "How the Civil War Changed the Way Americans Thought About Economic Inequality," 7 Apr. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

22 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Applaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applaud. Accessed 2 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for applaud

applaud

verb

English Language Learners Definition of applaud

: to strike the hands together over and over to show approval or praise

: to express approval of or support for (something or someone)

See the full definition for applaud in the English Language Learners Dictionary

applaud

ap·plaud | \ ə-ˈplȯd

\

applauded; applauding

Kids Definition of applaud

1 : to show approval especially by clapping the hands

2 : praise entry 1 sense 1 We applaud your efforts.

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