applaud

verb

ə-ˈplȯd How to pronounce applaud (audio)
Definition of applaudnext
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of I applaud your decision to take that advanced course

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of applaud Reaction to the law Some law enforcement leaders have applauded the new buffer zone law. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 But Curls applauded Rea for working with the company to keep the pharmacy. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 His factory boss, aware of Shigejiro’s situation at home, applauded his utterly straightforward personality and indeed even raised his salary. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Hospital executives in the Bay Area applauded the new list Tuesday. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for applaud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applaud
  1. praise
  2. hail
  3. commend
  4. salute
Verb
  • Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The play of both lines was pleasing to Harbaugh, who praised the performances of young defensive linemen TeRah Edwards and Jacobian Guillory.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Some hailed McDonnell as an Anna Delvey-type scammer, justifying her brazen ripoff of faceless lenders by scoffing at the idea that society should feel sympathy for giant corporate entities.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In May, college graduates entering a workforce where the technology is the primary reason for job cuts met commencement speakers hailing the AI revolution—including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt at the University of Arizona—with boos.
    — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of hail
Verb
  • Maynard also commends the company for its presentation of the result, in light of AI’s tendency to copy humans’ mathematical results and present them as its own ideas.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Jonathan Whitham commended Northwest Indiana’s communities for their response to Tuesday’s storms.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Before saluting the judges, Rivera embraced her coach Anna Liukin for a long-winded hug.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Law enforcement and other first responders saluted as the ambulance went by, and a large United States flag hung over the area.
    — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of salute

Browse Nearby Words

appetizingly
applaud
applaudable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Applaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applaud. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on applaud

Nglish: Translation of applaud for Spanish Speakers

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