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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clapping
Marc Malkin, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
John Waters is in the background clapping.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
In a video released Wednesday, clapping could be heard from a crowd that gathered as Zapata Nájera was removed from the mine, seeing daylight for the first time this month.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
The video shows the helicopter flying outside of Kid Rock’s house as the musician stands near his pool, clapping and saluting the military personnel flying.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Ghalibaf wrote alongside three clapping emojis.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
There was no clapping or audible reaction from the audience in the courtroom.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Attendees met the kick-off with clapping, whooping and chanting.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
To see players announced and introduced after 10 minutes of pointless waiting and camera shots of team executives sitting around a table looking at laptops before clapping after every decision.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Following suit, Charlotte could be seen clapping along with her mama while watching along.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Cherry climbed onto the chair, clapping.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The artist formerly known as Kanye West may be enjoying a triumphant return to the stage, but not everyone is clapping.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
The Pirates posted a photo of his family's reaction on social media, showing family members clapping, cheering and hugging each other.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
A lot of the percussion in the score, in fact, is the Wells Cathedral school kids clapping and stomping.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
The pic, posted on Lorraine’s Stories, shows Jack clapping and smiling with a clapping Joni Mitchell sitting next to him.
—Marc Malkin, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
John Waters is in the background clapping.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
In a video released Wednesday, clapping could be heard from a crowd that gathered as Zapata Nájera was removed from the mine, seeing daylight for the first time this month.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
The video shows the helicopter flying outside of Kid Rock’s house as the musician stands near his pool, clapping and saluting the military personnel flying.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Ghalibaf wrote alongside three clapping emojis.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
There was no clapping or audible reaction from the audience in the courtroom.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Attendees met the kick-off with clapping, whooping and chanting.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Spirits were high at the event, with protesters cheering and clapping for speakers.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
To see players announced and introduced after 10 minutes of pointless waiting and camera shots of team executives sitting around a table looking at laptops before clapping after every decision.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Following suit, Charlotte could be seen clapping along with her mama while watching along.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Cherry climbed onto the chair, clapping.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The artist formerly known as Kanye West may be enjoying a triumphant return to the stage, but not everyone is clapping.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
The Pirates posted a photo of his family's reaction on social media, showing family members clapping, cheering and hugging each other.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
A lot of the percussion in the score, in fact, is the Wells Cathedral school kids clapping and stomping.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
-
Song is known for her passionate cheering.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
-
And no cheering from the Dallas fans.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That meant a pre-existing zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic was overridden, slapping new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
The movie's December 2022 release was largely overshadowed by the aftermath of Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at that year's Academy Awards.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Highlights include a June 13 anniversary celebration with Jungle Fire, Healing Gems and DJ Liza Richardson; a tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder with DJ Spinna, Monalisa and MC Cognito; and a tribute to Roy Ayers led by composer Sly5thAve with a 12-piece ensemble including drummer Kassa Overall.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
All week, the British press has been awash with tributes to Attenborough, who has been making and presenting nature documentaries for decades.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Ruiz, making his fourth start, has hit two home runs in 14 Marlins plate appearances after smacking seven in his first 621 in the big leagues.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
-
The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The problem nobody wanted to name Before the announcements, before Jensen’s entrance to stadium-level applause, McDermott opened Day 1 with a provocation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Wattson, the Kromfohrlander who stars as Copernicus, trotted out (in a tuxedo) with his trainer to audience cheers and applause.—
Abby Stern,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Summer is knocking at the door.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.—
Ellen Bass,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
His most recent appearance on the hit series Shrinking has drawn critical acclaim and, for the star, an even closer bond with collaborator Harrison Ford.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
-
The organization’s connection to American Zoetrope and the Coppola family’s long-standing place in Hollywood history adds a layer of acclaim and prestige to any film program that’s focused on artistic access.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lee was arrested April 3 in the 9300 block of Cicero Avenue after punching a man at a nearby gas station, police said.—
Dennis Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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