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
Think of it as going from a clap of thunder to the slam of a car door. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 June 2026 There were the polite claps after good attacks by the Swiss, sarcastic whistles by the Qatari fans after their team again failed to mount a threat. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Verb
Leonard cruised into second, clapped his hands and pointed towards his mom, dad, wife and friend in the stands. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 The hugs, smiles and claps around the FDJ Suez bus told a different story, however. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 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
  • Wills had been in a meeting and recalled a fireball flying past and singeing her bangs.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Overall, Moving to Spain estimates that the cost of living in Spain is roughly 30% cheaper than the US and around 25% cheaper than the UK, giving you more bang for your retirement savings.
    — Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of bang
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ramirez was Miami’s primary catcher as a rookie last season and can add some thump to Miami’s lineup, but his work defensively remains underwhelming.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • European energy prices rose drastically in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as Western governments slapped Moscow with sanctions and looked for alternative sources of oil and gas.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • After making the grab, Allen celebrated briefly, then slapped hands with Delane.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • Private equity’s growing interest in sports teams is another sign of the buying boom, said Irwin Kirshner, the head of the sports law group at the law firm Herrick Feinstein.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Today, Ormat hopes to grow exponentially with the AI data center boom, aiming to build baseload, clean power plants throughout the Western United States, utilizing both new technologies and old.
    — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of boom
Noun
  • Ferran Torres Torres was not the first-choice striker for Spain at the World Cup, but that did not stop him from landing the decisive blow after his team-mates had spent 106 minutes dominating Argentina without a breakthrough.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Other gamblers just don’t want to get swindled, so anything that smacks too clearly of insider trading can get you in trouble.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Nevertheless, the upper stage smacked into Earth’s only natural satellite at seven times the speed of sound on August 5.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of smack
Noun
  • During a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz confirmed that two employees of Brent Industries, who worked in the building, were killed in the blast.
    — Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Also, three people were killed and three others were wounded over the last day in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Sumy region, including drone strikes and an explosive device blast, Ukraine’s National Police said.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of blast
Noun
  • Crystal will also make a deep, long, ringing sound when it’s tapped, but glass will make a short thud.
    — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The movement feels fluid but also brutally impactful when Wolvie lands claws-first on an unsuspecting enemy with a thud.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clap

Nglish: Translation of clap for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clap

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