clapped back; clapping back; claps back
US, informal
: to respond quickly and sharply to criticism
A lot of times when someone says something nasty to you online, your gut reaction is to clap back right away. It's always good to take a cooling-off period—I recommend sleeping on it.—
Patrick Crowley
Patrick CrowleyThis week, Mandy Moore clapped back at haters on Instagram after people accused her of Photoshopping her social media photos … "I am 5'10 and a size 6. I have NEVER photoshopped pictures … That's not what I'm about. If you're going to be rude about people's bodies, go elsewhere."—Kitty Lindsay
Kitty Lindsay
clap·back
ˈklap-ˌbak 
variants
or less commonly clap back
plural clapbacks also clap backs
US, informal
: a quick, sharp, and effective response to criticism
Not to be confused with a garden-variety diss, a clapback is deemed by most as a targeted, often viciously acute comeback intended to place someone in much-needed check.—Aaron Edwards and Ira Madison III
Aaron Edwards and Ira Madison IIIWe all love a good clapback. It's a comeback but with that extra oomph.—Mathew Rodriguez
Mathew RodriguezThe art of the clap back is a study in discernment, wit, and instinct, which is why it should come as no surprise that Rihanna, Internet queen, is the reigning champ of shutting down the haters.—Cady Lang
Cady LangExamples of clap back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 6 May 2025
Judge started the scoring with a 426-foot, two-run homer – his 10th of the year – off Cade Povich in the first inning, while Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle clapped back with his own two-run shot off Carlos Carrasco in the second inning.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 21 Feb. 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Wednesday that the United States revert to a historic name for the territory, America Mexicana, in a clapback at President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap back
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Verb
Mark Consuelos shaved off skin into meal during cooking accident
Kelly Ripa 'so enraged' by soccer team's dreadful performance in Italy
The Live audience laughed at the exchange, though Ripa clapped back by playfully warning her husband about potential consequences.
—Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 6 May 2025
Judge started the scoring with a 426-foot, two-run homer – his 10th of the year – off Cade Povich in the first inning, while Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle clapped back with his own two-run shot off Carlos Carrasco in the second inning.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Noun
Mia, usually quick with a clapback, finally reaches her breaking point.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 21 Feb. 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Wednesday that the United States revert to a historic name for the territory, America Mexicana, in a clapback at President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap back
Cite this Entry
“Clap back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clap%20back. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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