applaud

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verb ap·plaud \ ə-ˈplȯd \

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.

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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 government distributed a video clip through its Twitter account that was just 14 seconds of mayors applauding Morales.

— sonia perez d., The Seattle Times, "Guatemala court: President can’t expel head of UN commission," 29 Aug. 2017
Goshen Township Administrator and Fire Chief Steve Pegram applauded Hill, the community and all the volunteers on the park board and friends of park group for their commitment.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Golden Snitches, Horcruxes and all things Potter come to Goshen park," 24 Aug. 2017
Others applauded him for cracking down on the young woman in an era of rudeness.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat, a Miami judge who ‘only wanted to do good,’ dies at 72," 20 Aug. 2017
Yet that’s exactly what the ACLU did, and short-sighted Americans applauded.

— david french, National Review, "After Charlottesville, the First and Second Amendments Are Under Fire," 18 Aug. 2017
The appointment of John F. Kelly as White House chief of staff was roundly applauded, even as it was met with some skepticism.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "Donald Trump’s Implosion Cannot Be Controlled," 17 Aug. 2017
People on social media were quick to applaud the 12-year-old's choice, touting it as minimalism, and a pretty genius idea.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "12-Year-Old's Lego Sculpture Goes Viral," 30 July 2017
Stimpson was out of town, as one of 40 mayors attending the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, but issued a statement applauding the move.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Mobile City Council greenlights new recycling plan," 18 July 2017
And while the internet acknowledges that there are definitely easier ways to bring pasta into the movies (for example, putting it in a container or choosing a pasta shape that's easier to consume than spaghetti), many are still applauding her.

— sophie hirsh, Teen Vogue, "Girl Brings Spaghetti to Movie Theater In a Plastic Bag," 14 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of applaud

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aplaudir, from Latin applaudere, from ad- + plaudere to applaud

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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applaud Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

knock, pan, slam

Related Words

bravo, clap, rise (to); ballyhoo; approve, commend, endorse (also indorse), favor, recommend, root (for), support; celebrate, emblazon, eulogize, extol (also extoll), glorify, magnify, sing; adulate, belaud, flatter, overpraise; deify, idolize

Near Antonyms

belittle, discommend, disparage, put down; blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate; admonish, chide, criticize, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove; castigate, excoriate, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), skewer, slag [chiefly British], vilify

APPLAUD Defined for English Language Learners

applaud

play

verb

Definition of applaud for English Language Learners

: to strike the hands together over and over to show approval or praise
: to express approval of or support for (something or someone)

APPLAUD Defined for Kids

applaud

play

verb ap·plaud \ ə-ˈplȯd \

Definition of applaud for Students

applauded; applauding

1 :to show approval especially by clapping the hands

2 :¹praise 1

We applaud your efforts.

Learn More about applaud

See words that rhyme with applaud Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for applaud Spanish Central: Translation of applaud Nglish: Translation of applaud for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of applaud for Arabic speakers

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applaud

Definition of applaud

applaudable

applaudably

applauder

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Examples of applaud in a Sentence

Recent Examples of applaud from the Web

Origin and Etymology of applaud

applaud Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

APPLAUD Defined for English Language Learners

applaud

Definition of applaud for English Language Learners

APPLAUD Defined for Kids

applaud

Definition of applaud for Students

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