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 Lang
Examples of clap back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAntonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
On Wednesday, Lima clapped back at her critics with a post on her Instagram Story.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Jared Goff led the Detroit Lions to a dominant 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers Thursday night before clapping back at some pregame comments.
—Joe Morgan, Fox News, 29 Sep. 2023
The songstress, 38, recently clapped back at a Christian influencer who accused her of inviting demonic energy into her concerts.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023
Beckinsale has clapped back to people trolling her on Instagram in the past.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
Whoopi Goldberg is clapping back at conservatives bashing Barbie online.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023
Following Ciara’s response, another user praised the singer for clapping back at the negativity.
—Dayna Haffenden, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023
The 17-year-old daughter of drummer Travis Barker took to TikTok on Monday (Aug. 1) to clap back at critics who made comments on her weight in a recent, unspecified paparazzi photo.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2023
Pablo Manríquez, The New Republic, 18 Sep. 2023
This song is exactly what the title suggests: a sassy clapback to the haters with narcissism woven into every lyric.
—Louis Staples, Vulture, 23 June 2022
Never one to shy away from a clapback, Madonna first posted a lengthy Instagram caption on February 7 that lambasted the ageism and sexism at the root of the comments.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 21 Feb. 2023
Kahmora is quick with a clapback, and served up some quite memorable confessional moments.
—Paul McCallion, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2021
The designation, created by trans advocate Rachel Crandall of Transgender Michigan in 2010, started as a clapback to the limited coverage of trans people in media, and stories that were wholly focused on the violence trans people faced.
—Allison Hope, CNN, 31 Mar. 2023
Green quickly responded with an epic clapback.
—oregonlive, 9 June 2022
Look no further than Trump’s own response to DeSantis’s gentle clapback.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 23 Mar. 2023
Kourtney Kardashian loves a good clapback at random trolls who question her life choices.
—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 11 Mar. 2023
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Verb
Goldberg clapped back at followers who critiqued her kitchen habits
Whoopi Goldberg is doubling down on her kitchen habits.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
On Wednesday, Lima clapped back at her critics with a post on her Instagram Story.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Jared Goff led the Detroit Lions to a dominant 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers Thursday night before clapping back at some pregame comments.
—Joe Morgan, Fox News, 29 Sep. 2023
The songstress, 38, recently clapped back at a Christian influencer who accused her of inviting demonic energy into her concerts.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023
Beckinsale has clapped back to people trolling her on Instagram in the past.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
Whoopi Goldberg is clapping back at conservatives bashing Barbie online.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023
Following Ciara’s response, another user praised the singer for clapping back at the negativity.
—Dayna Haffenden, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023
The 17-year-old daughter of drummer Travis Barker took to TikTok on Monday (Aug. 1) to clap back at critics who made comments on her weight in a recent, unspecified paparazzi photo.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2023
Noun
The clapback from activist conservative judges and the financial service industry has been constant and severe.
—Pablo Manríquez, The New Republic, 18 Sep. 2023
This song is exactly what the title suggests: a sassy clapback to the haters with narcissism woven into every lyric.
—Louis Staples, Vulture, 23 June 2022
Never one to shy away from a clapback, Madonna first posted a lengthy Instagram caption on February 7 that lambasted the ageism and sexism at the root of the comments.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 21 Feb. 2023
Kahmora is quick with a clapback, and served up some quite memorable confessional moments.
—Paul McCallion, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2021
The designation, created by trans advocate Rachel Crandall of Transgender Michigan in 2010, started as a clapback to the limited coverage of trans people in media, and stories that were wholly focused on the violence trans people faced.
—Allison Hope, CNN, 31 Mar. 2023
Green quickly responded with an epic clapback.
—oregonlive, 9 June 2022
Look no further than Trump’s own response to DeSantis’s gentle clapback.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 23 Mar. 2023
Kourtney Kardashian loves a good clapback at random trolls who question her life choices.
—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 11 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clap back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near clap back
Cite this Entry
“Clap back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clap%20back. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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