1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
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2
as in thump
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
clapped him on the back as a friendly gesture
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clap
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2025
Few claps for attacks on Ukraine Trump’s least popular segment of the speech, across party lines, was his critique of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
There’s enough of a pause between several of the variations to feel compelled to clap, but not quite enough room to feel good about having done so.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Kansas City is also trying to set the world record for the largest collection of claps and is inviting all who visit to help be a part of it, Cocoran said.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2025
Few claps for attacks on Ukraine Trump’s least popular segment of the speech, across party lines, was his critique of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
He was also seen as a member of the audience clapping along while Jack Black danced through the crowd during last week's monologue.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
There’s enough of a pause between several of the variations to feel compelled to clap, but not quite enough room to feel good about having done so.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
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Here's when a diploma may not deliver much of a bang for the buck.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Kerry Washington turned the trending blunt cut into a bang, while MAC cosmetics used two-toned lip liner and bronze eyeshadow on supermodel Aweng Chuol.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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My heart thumps, in sync with the pitter-patter of feet on the ground.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Outlook Single Double Triple Homer Texas moved quickly to bring in Pederson after trading Nathaniel Lowe, sacrificing a lot of fielding value but maintaining similar left-handed thump for the lineup.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Local News In 2020, Jennifer Vasquez alleged he was kicked, slapped and shoved by husband In a 2020 protective order, Jennifer Vasquez alleged that her husband verbally abused, kicked, slapped, and shoved her.—
Mikenzie Frost,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
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The film, a part of the sprawling Marvel franchise, was approved for release in China before Washington and Beijing slapped tit-for-tat tariffs on each other.—
Casey Hall and Sophie Yu,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Already, cask investment companies are using the headlines to promote whisky casks as a safe investment, suggesting the tariff cut marks the start of a new export boom into India.—
Mark Littler,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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In the past 20 years, she’s launched dozens of fragrances, plenty of them beloved, and introduced a color cosmetics line back in 2017 (around the same time Fenty Beauty debuted and catalyzed the great celebrity-brand boom).—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
7 May 2025
Noun
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What’s 42 to 43? Into a black place of great blows from the little mountains from the sea came.—
John Berryman,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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With a blow of his whistle, all sorts of words applied: pandemonium, euphoria, mania.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Guests can also hop a free shuttle to the hotel’s sister property, Skylark Negril Beach Resort, smack on Seven Mile Beach.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Someone on the other team took a shot at him, and the puck tipped right under his visor and hit him in the eye, squarely smacking him right in the eyeball.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The blast, launched off Jason Adam, gave Grisham 10 homers for the season and set up Escarra’s game-winner.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2025
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In his directorial film debut, Lin-Manuel Miranda delivers a blast of noise, color, and joy with the help of his cast, including Vanessa Hudgens, Judith Light, Bradley Whitford, and a host of Broadway legends.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
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But a trawler passed behind them, the roar of its engine drowning out the dull thuds of their rocks.—
Prianka Srinivasan Matthew Abbott,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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