1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clap
Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Acousticians often use a hand clap as a cheap substitute for pricey equipment to make acoustic measurements in architecture.
—Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Then, when Arjona got her roar of approval, her boyfriend Jason Momoa could be seen clapping enthusiastically in the row behind her.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Reno piled more than 40 clap tracks onto the production, though the volume of parts involved isn’t necessarily evident in the final cut.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Acousticians often use a hand clap as a cheap substitute for pricey equipment to make acoustic measurements in architecture.
—Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
There were flames, cheerleaders and a sea of flags and scarves, and the structure of the old ground in South London literally shook as supporters stamped and clapped along to the soundtrack of a historic victory.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Then, when Arjona got her roar of approval, her boyfriend Jason Momoa could be seen clapping enthusiastically in the row behind her.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
No complicated layers or fancy highlights, just healthy shoulder-length hair and windswept side bangs.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
3 June 2025
-
For glam, Megan wore larger-than-life, dark brown voluminous curls and bangs and went for summer-ready peach shades for her eyeshadow, cheeks and lips.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The Cardinals have enough right-handed thump (especially with Herrera) to utilize Burleson at his strength.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Five months after passing an ordinance to ban smoking in parks, the city of Fort Lauderdale finally slapped stickers on existing signs about this prohibition that do not get people’s attention.—
John Michael Pierobon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2025
-
Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
They were raised during the internet boom, financial decentralization, and the notion that digital identity and ownership matter.—
Chrissa McFarlane,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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These population booms were followed by a period of decline in immigration numbers.—
Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
If approved, the cuts would served a devastating blow to the U.N., which is already struggling as other governments also cut contributions.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Her relationship may have been seen as the ideal outcome of inner work, so its collapse may have felt disappointing, like a blow to their healing process.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The two smacked into each other last Thursday trying to catch a Cedric Mullins fly ball, leaving both with concussions.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
-
Indiana’s first unit smacked opponents by 12.2 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Not every blast from the past deserves a place in your future.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
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For another blast from the past, head to Funland in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware—technically just above the Mason-Dixon line, but a longtime favorite for many Southern families thanks to its arcade games, old-school rides, and salt-air nostalgia.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Unlike other parts of the country where the intensity of war waxes and wanes, eastern Ukraine has known no respite from the thud of artillery, the roar of missiles, and the hum of drones.—
Dominique Soguel,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 May 2025
-
The Orioles organization has collapsed with a deadening thud.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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