clap 1 of 2

noun

Definition of clapnext
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

clap

2 of 2

verb

ˈklap How to pronounce clap (audio)
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

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 clap
Noun
The Golf Channel would always be playing in the background; the soft claps were the soundtrack to our slow Saturdays. — Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026 The origin of the thunderclap (sometimes called the Viking clap) is disputed, with several clubs in Europe claiming to have started the trend, but Iceland popularised it and brought it to the world stage. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Verb
When the visitors' lineup and Skubal were shown on the videoboard and his name was announced before the first pitch, most of the crowd at Comerica Park clapped for the two-time Cy Young Award winner while some jeered him. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Pocic immediately started clapping, and Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford rushed over to celebrate with him. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
  1. bang
  2. thump
  3. slap
  4. boom
  5. blow
  6. smack
  7. blast
  8. thud
Noun
  • Broadwick’s pink front door spits you out slap-bang in the middle of it all like a tongue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The last time the agents ripped through Little Village, fireworks, flash bangs and blaring car horns sounded up and down 26th Street for hours.
    — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • If those ground tests show the jet’s acoustic thump is soft enough for suburban skies, NASA plans to fly the X-59 over several US communities to gather public feedback.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Their pitching is good, Griffin Jax could return soon, and Liam Hicks has added some thump to a lineup previously built around three really good hitters (Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda) and a bunch of do-your-job role players.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • The film ends with Sally and Gary happily in love, which begs a question that’s been gestating for 28 years — doesn’t that slap him with a death sentence?
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Apple has now discontinued the older 17 Pro models and slapped $100 price hikes on all other existing models, including the regular iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • The continuous, 25-hour eruption of Anak Krakatau that produced a fountain of lava and a boom heard 700 kilometers (435 miles) away ended Sunday, the country's Geological Agency said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • How this fits into the delivery boom Delivery drones are starting to show up in more places, but most of them are still carrying pretty small loads.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of boom
Noun
  • There have been plenty of in-game rotations, promising combinations, fluidity and creativity, but without the delivery of a final hammer blow.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The residents had sustained another blow when my friend, John Ahern, was a passenger on Pan Am Flight 103 that exploded on December 21, 1988 from a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Ultimately, they were shouted down, most notably by the men who’d be told to don helmets and shoulder pads and smack one another into submission.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Suddenly a fan favorite in New York again, Volpe smacked a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs during his rousing return from Triple-A as the Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies 10-3 on Thursday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of smack
Noun
  • But then on Sunday, McFarlane blew a save by serving up a three-run blast to Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Their mother had crawled, wounded, on the floor before the brothers fired a final, fatal blast.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of blast
Noun
  • In 2019, the coach Brian Flores era began with a resounding thud as the Dolphins were trounced, 59-10, by Baltimore.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Others joined him and the thud of clubs on tree trunks resumed.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of thud

Phrases Containing clap

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clansmen
clap
clapped
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Cite this Entry

“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clap

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clap

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