as in cheering
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as in slapping
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
clapped him on the back as a friendly gesture
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Recent Examples of clapping
Isabel Yip, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Winners were selected based on how loud the audience was in clapping and cheering.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Instead of joyful encouragement, the clapping felt like desperation in the arena.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Mustard’s buoyant, clapping beat work defines a whole era of Los Angeles hip-hop.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
That shifted fast to boos and more from the crowd when Vance was shown on the big screen in the stadium clapping for his fellow Americans.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Fellow deputies, friends, family members, doctors, and therapists lined the halls of Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Institute, clapping and cheering as MDSO Deputy Leo Cantave marked a major milestone in his recovery.
—Marybel Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
In the background, a large group of Warkaris—men and women dressed in traditional white attire, colorful saris, turbans and topis—sit in a semicircle, clapping and cheering.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The camera also cut to a shot of Martin Short clapping while seated next to his fellow Only Murders in the Building actor Steve Martin, who also laughed at the quip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Doncic received his 14th technical foul of the season in the second quarter, and he wasn't whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Doncic received his 14th technical foul of the season in the second quarter, and he wasn't whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Beside him, clapping his hands, stands Gianni Infantino, the president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), organizer of this year’s World Cup soccer tournament in North America.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Her Donna Summer disco program had fans clapping within the first minute.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
But then, the moment Buckley walks on, the entire audience leaps to its feet, roaring and clapping for her.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
In a video that has since gone viral, Strelow's teammates are seen clapping when a clang can be heard.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 12 Feb. 2026
Before Northwestern’s game with Michigan at Wrigley Field last November, an NU student reporter sitting next to me in the press box suddenly began clapping.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Lindo received a standing ovation, during which Jordan could be seen smiling at his co-star from the audience and clapping.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Winners were selected based on how loud the audience was in clapping and cheering.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Instead of joyful encouragement, the clapping felt like desperation in the arena.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Mustard’s buoyant, clapping beat work defines a whole era of Los Angeles hip-hop.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
That shifted fast to boos and more from the crowd when Vance was shown on the big screen in the stadium clapping for his fellow Americans.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Fellow deputies, friends, family members, doctors, and therapists lined the halls of Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Institute, clapping and cheering as MDSO Deputy Leo Cantave marked a major milestone in his recovery.
—Marybel Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
In the background, a large group of Warkaris—men and women dressed in traditional white attire, colorful saris, turbans and topis—sit in a semicircle, clapping and cheering.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The camera also cut to a shot of Martin Short clapping while seated next to his fellow Only Murders in the Building actor Steve Martin, who also laughed at the quip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Doncic’s technical was his 14th of the season – he wasn’t whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
Doncic received his 14th technical foul of the season in the second quarter, and he wasn't whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Doncic received his 14th technical foul of the season in the second quarter, and he wasn't whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Beside him, clapping his hands, stands Gianni Infantino, the president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), organizer of this year’s World Cup soccer tournament in North America.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Her Donna Summer disco program had fans clapping within the first minute.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
But then, the moment Buckley walks on, the entire audience leaps to its feet, roaring and clapping for her.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
In a video that has since gone viral, Strelow's teammates are seen clapping when a clang can be heard.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 12 Feb. 2026
Before Northwestern’s game with Michigan at Wrigley Field last November, an NU student reporter sitting next to me in the press box suddenly began clapping.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
-
It was planned as a celebratory campaign kickoff — a filing-day ritual with cheering supporters and a nod to the long race ahead.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Scenes of jubilant cheering were reported from other cities as well.—
Kay Armin Serjoie,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Itoje was sin-binned in the 64th for illegally slapping the ball in a maul and 13 men were playing Italy's 15.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
As opposed to slapping a host of aerodynamic elements on there, Xiaomi's designers integrated the aerodynamics into the car's shape itself.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though the two barely mentioned each other leading up to Liam’s death, Harry posted a poignant tribute to his bandmate.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
6 Mar. 2026
-
His death has brought an outpouring of tributes to the civil rights leader and politician who devoted his life to pushing for equality and change.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her furious attempts to extricate herself from Ramirez ended with her smacking her head on the parking lot asphalt and Ramirez hitting her in the right eye, according to the arrest report.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Along the road of The Bride and Frank’s orgiastic spree, a Berlin-like underground club called Depravation (applause to Gyllenhaal for bringing Swedish music artist Fever Ray to the big screen) could’ve been a showstopping setpiece.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Robert De Niro walked onto Carnegie Hall’s stage Tuesday night, unannounced and to loud applause.—
Hillel Italie,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Canadarm was used for spacewalking, several Hubble Space Telescope missions and some impromptu maneuvers such as knocking an ice plug off a frozen shuttle drain line, according to NASA.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Return to New York when Broadway comes knocking.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But The Pitt is also a ratings juggernaut, occupying the rare slice of the Venn diagram where critical acclaim, audience acclaim, and real popularity all intersect.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Welcome to Wrexham premiered on American television channel FX in August 2022, putting the club on a path to international acclaim.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The actor is accused of punching the second man in the nose.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In January 2022, Rivas was arrested for allegedly punching Hall in the face, according to police.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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