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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in cheering
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 clapping
PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
And, according to Variety, some clapping.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s after days of clapping and hollering at premieres, resulting in standing ovations that lasted into the double digits.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
My mother is lying in her bed, clapping.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
In a video shared on X, Johnson was seen wiping away tears and clapping as the film received a 15-minute standing ovation.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The lively atmosphere, complete with clapping, music, and laughter, gave the pup a celebration that could rival any human birthday party.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Trump clapping as Putin approached, with a grin on his face.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Frankie Grande was spotted standing and clapping for Carpenter once the signs went up.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
After the Tar Heels began the 2025 season with an opening-drive touchdown, Tar Heels legendary former head basketball coach Roy Williams was clapping in his own suite alongside Michael Jordan, the UNC sensation who turned into one of the best NBA players of all time.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In the video, Kotb could be seen clapping as a friend brought Waffles out of a car to her daughters, who were standing in their driveway waiting to meet their new furry friend.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
This garnered extended cheers and clapping from the crowd, who were later rewarded with a latter third of the set focused entirely on Kravitz’s best bangers.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Beck got the audience clapping along as pizzicato violin and saxophone rang out.
—Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Mets owner Steve Cohen was among those clapping in the stands.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Boombox 3 saves you from that pity clapping and actually lets the music take over.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
And, according to Variety, some clapping.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s after days of clapping and hollering at premieres, resulting in standing ovations that lasted into the double digits.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
My mother is lying in her bed, clapping.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
In a video shared on X, Johnson was seen wiping away tears and clapping as the film received a 15-minute standing ovation.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The lively atmosphere, complete with clapping, music, and laughter, gave the pup a celebration that could rival any human birthday party.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Trump clapping as Putin approached, with a grin on his face.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
Frankie returned the sentiment by clapping his hands after petting the dog.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Frankie Grande was spotted standing and clapping for Carpenter once the signs went up.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
After the Tar Heels began the 2025 season with an opening-drive touchdown, Tar Heels legendary former head basketball coach Roy Williams was clapping in his own suite alongside Michael Jordan, the UNC sensation who turned into one of the best NBA players of all time.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In the video, Kotb could be seen clapping as a friend brought Waffles out of a car to her daughters, who were standing in their driveway waiting to meet their new furry friend.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
This garnered extended cheers and clapping from the crowd, who were later rewarded with a latter third of the set focused entirely on Kravitz’s best bangers.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Beck got the audience clapping along as pizzicato violin and saxophone rang out.
—Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Mets owner Steve Cohen was among those clapping in the stands.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Verb
-
Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Tchervinski can be seen in one of videos of the incident slapping a Black man.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Blum was on hand for the Toronto screening and was likely among the happiest in the room as the credits rolled and the cheering began.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Family, friends and spectators line the embankments, looking down from pedestrian bridges and the underpasses, holding up signs and cheering.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the middle, a president who promised to put both conflicts to bed – and whose talk of a Nobel Peace Prize is smacking up against the reality of the Gaza and Ukraine wars.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Bargatze’s bit is predicated on the fact that most awards show speeches are self-indulgent, rambling tributes to other celebrities, which is fine.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Vance's tribute is expected to reflect on Kirk's legacy and his role in shaping conservative youth movements.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
All we were focused on was just containing him, knocking the pocket back, just trying to keep him in the pocket, and forcing the football.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
-
No texts, no phone calls, no IMs—just walking over to their house, knocking on the door, and hanging out together?—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Clad in a chain-mail dress with sheer stripes and waist-length hair, Wilson's appearance during the Chris Habana show was greeted with raucous applause.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But applause fades when health fails, when relationships suffer or when leaders disappear completely.—
Anastasia Paruntseva,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Taddese is on the ground, bent over, face down, as a man kicks him, and the woman who was pushed, dressed in a black jumpsuit and barefoot, gets up and begins punching him.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Samirah, the central performer, entrances Billie—her lyrics punching over vibrating beats, her voice gritty and sultry.—
Lauren Morrow
September 9,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His collaboration with Shane Meadows on the This Is England trilogy (’86, ’88, ’90) earned him widespread critical acclaim and multiple awards.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ghost Donkey Also located in the back of a food hall is the chill and intimate Ghost Donkey, the tequila and mezcal bar that moved over from the East Coast after much acclaim.—
Tim McGovern,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share