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
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
There is also a lot of performative clapping involved—but the less made about the length of standing ovations at film festivals the better.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
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
Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
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
Noun
Thousands of fans responded with a sing-song chant, punctuated with staccato clapping.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
There is also a lot of performative clapping involved—but the less made about the length of standing ovations at film festivals the better.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
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
Verb
Michael Carrick made his way around the lap of honour, clapping the fans who were still inside Old Trafford after Manchester United’s victory over Liverpool, which secured Champions League football.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
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
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
-
Among the plaintiffs, two protesters faced minor charges that were quickly dropped—each accused of impeding a federal officer for slapping the agent’s phone from their hand—while the other two were charged with no crimes at all.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
-
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
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
-
Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson star in the writer-director’s third feature film, which received a six-minute standing ovation on Wednesday night as Schoenbrun hugged their stars to roaring applause and cheers from the crowd.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Joined by her septet and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Reineke, Joy performed a medley of tunes — her own originals as well as standards and more obscure selections within the vocal jazz canon — to rapturous applause.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 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
-
The backstage visit comes amid a major moment for Rudolph, whose run as Mary Todd Lincoln in the Tony-winning comedy has garnered critical and audience acclaim.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
For his inspired stewardship, Cox, who died Saturday at the age of 84, several years after suffering a stroke, won widespread acclaim as one of the greatest managers the grand old game has ever known.—
Mark Bradley for the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
And the hot honey sauce added just enough sweetness to balance the flavors, without the heat punching you in the face right away.—
Evan Moore
May 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2026
-
The month prior, an adult man was charged after allegedly punching a police officer at the city's annual Light Up Night, and police issued a dispersal order when teens began to get rowdy.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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