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
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Owen Wilson’s Stick has been renewed for a second season; the news was likely received to just mild golf claps among the online golfing community.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
People hate on the Chiefs but here is the offense clapping along to a veteran being honored during their huddle.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
But Lloyd’s awkward staging here and questionable affectations (including an audience clap-along) makes Pozzo’s relationship with Lucky unfocused and puzzling.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Owen Wilson’s Stick has been renewed for a second season; the news was likely received to just mild golf claps among the online golfing community.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
As Consuelos spoke, a loud buzzing noise clapped through the studio space, with the actor pausing to take note of the distraction in the moment.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
People hate on the Chiefs but here is the offense clapping along to a veteran being honored during their huddle.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
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These changes, as well as, wearing bangs were a major key to keeping her edges strong.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Here are two Arizona ski resorts that will get you the most bang for your buck this season.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The windshield repels the huddled form and the thump on the pavement sounds like a rebuke.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The result is that the sonic boom becomes a sonic thump of 60 dB to 80 dB, or about that of a car door closing for those on the ground.—
David Szondy
October 28,
New Atlas,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After Zelina Vega slapped Rhodes, Aldis booked a non-title match between Rhodes and Black for the main event.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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When a gecko slaps its foot on a wall, many of the branches push tightly against the surface.—
Carl Zimmer,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Singles’ Day, China’s bargain-hunting version of Valentine’s Day, usually heralds a retail boom.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The tech giants have defied these headwinds, buoyed in part by an investment boom in artificial intelligence.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Green Bay's offense was dealt a massive blow last week when star tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a torn ACL against the Panthers.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But, every once in a while, I’ll get smacked in the face by one.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
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An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The blast, which was heard miles away, came at a time when the area is typically crowded with hundreds of visitors attending court hearings.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
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Thirty-six hours after the explosion, officials named Livelsberger as the suspect based on a charred military ID recovered at the scene of the blast.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The show, which debuted on Tuesday on Hulu, landed with a thud and garnered a jaw-dropping zero percent on Rotten Tomatoes from its initial spate of reviews, which included scathing takedowns from the Guardian, the Hollywood Reporter and the UK’s The Times.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
5 Nov. 2025
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That will include the X-59’s first supersonic flight, in which the aircraft will achieve the optimal speed and altitude for a boom—or thud, in this case.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
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