1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Donkey's multitude of skills can even be expanded upon through a skill tree that enhances the dapper ape's various abilities and attributes, like the range of DK's secret-sensing clap or the number of hearts held by the protagonist.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
When McCluskie announced the coming vote, much of the caucus clapped.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Remain inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Donkey's multitude of skills can even be expanded upon through a skill tree that enhances the dapper ape's various abilities and attributes, like the range of DK's secret-sensing clap or the number of hearts held by the protagonist.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Verb
On Thursday, the square in front of the palace was packed with a massive audience, including schoolchildren, who clapped in unison during official speeches and a parade attended by thousands.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
When McCluskie announced the coming vote, much of the caucus clapped.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
Princess Kate has experimented with short layers, sunny highlights, curtain bangs and even anonymously donated seven inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust charity in 2017.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
As for Gladys’s signature micro bangs, Wheat says those came about during the testing process, when the team was playing around with where to pin the wig.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the thump, thump, thumping of her brother’s hands pounding a heavy bag.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Collins brings some thump to the four spot at no cost after next season.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
DraftKings, one of the biggest online sports gambling sites in Illinois, is slapping 50- or 25-cent fees on most bets.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
During the stream, Kardashian tagged along for Cenat's noodle game — basically, a challenge where the influencer and his friends take turns hitting each other on the head with pool noodles while participants wear helmets and don't know which of their peers slapped them from behind.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meantime the post-Nvidia-earnings collective rethink of the trajectory, profitability and durability of the AI-capex boom has Nvidia shares testing two-month support and Microsoft and Meta Platforms undergoing 8%-plus corrections from their recent highs.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The Internet boom was beginning to explode.—
Randy Bean,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then Butker missed the extra point — a deflating moment and a blow to what had been growing momentum.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The hammer blow was last week's dismissal by the Constitutional Court of Thaksin's daughter and protege Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the sixth prime minister from or backed by the Shinawatra family to be removed by the military or judiciary.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The raw tuna got smacked with a Stop Sale.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
As of this publication, the final Conjuring movie starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren lands smack dab in the middle of the best and worst rated Conjuring Cinematic Universe films on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement Even sports media superstar Pat McAfee took notice of @TCUFootball’s blasts on his popular ESPN and YouTube program.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Some cheered the kids on with blasts from conch shells; another boater bugled tunes.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The news of Lamar's killing fell on me with an aching thud.—
Trymaine Lee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
-
There is then a loud thud, followed by silence.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share