CLAPPING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

clapping 1 of 2

noun

as in cheering

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Dissimilar Words

clapping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clap

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

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

Noun

The shoulder bones made interesting clapping percussion, and the bigger ones suited deeper beating percussion. — Ben Croll, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Detective Jose Mercedes was wheeled out of Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park on Monday before standing up in front of a group of clapping officers. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 First, the Huskies mixed it up with some marching band members on the practice field outside of Huskie Stadium, jumping in on a routine and exchanging fight songs, with the players chanting, clapping and pumping their fists during their version. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Jackson and Esme stood next to each other clapping for their mom while Sarah could be seen snapping photos off to the side. — Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 The boos were more scattered and barely audible amidst the applause and cheers, which grew louder when the ballpark’s video boards showed the 2018 champ smiling, clapping, and waving from the visitors’ dugout. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Later in the service, the choir would sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of a gospel song that set the tone for the preacher to follow with his gospel message. — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Fans, who flooded the comments section showering her with clapping-hands and heart emojis, won't have to wait long to see the sportscaster in her new role. — Paris Close, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The crowd lustily makes known its approval, clapping and cheering and spilling out of the park and through the woods comparing favorite tracks and excitedly talking about the set. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026

Verb

About 75 people packed the room at Morning Star Community Center, often clapping and cheering in support of the criticism. — Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 At one point, the audience tentatively started clapping then quickly quieted back down. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 As the judges give him positive feedback, our Danni is very excited, clapping for him and bouncing up and down like a bobblehead going down a cobblestoned street. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Zodiac wildlife tours go out regardless of weather; on ours, a humpback, a mother-and-calf gray whale, an orca, and otters clapping their paws like an audience all made an appearance. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026 Murray reacted coolly as the ice water cascaded over him, standing up and clapping his hands while walking it off. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 The film’s sombre tone and subject matter likely put a damper on the Lido crowd’s reaction, but the movie was well received, with the audience rising for a standing ovation, clapping warmly for four minutes. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026 Firefighters who weren’t yet being deployed lined the route to the tarmac, hooting and clapping and giving high fives. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Pocic immediately started clapping, and Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford rushed over to celebrate with him. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping

Noun

Sports owners and local officials usually work together, especially when the streets are packed with cheering fans.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Beyond the cheering crowd, though, the political picture is far more complicated.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheering

Verb

Intriguingly, this might not just be slapping boards into a plastic box.

— Sean Hollister, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
That incident involved Smith rushing the stage and slapping host Chris Rock with an open hand after the Oscars host made jokes about Jada Pinkett Smith.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of slapping

Noun

For their collaborative full-length debut, Eris Drew and Octo Octa hunkered down in their New Hampshire cabin to craft a celebratory, sample-heavy tribute to the maximalist dance music of yore.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
In the center of the lounge there’s an imposing green marble bar—a tribute to the celebrated Italian architect Piero Portaluppi—that serves as the focal point of the space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of tribute

Verb

But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of smacking

Noun

Flight controllers burst into applause and jumped to their feet, shaking hands and embracing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
And the London Film Festival audience received the feature warmly, with one moment of raucous applause and plenty of laughter across the screening.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of applause

Verb

Video shared by NorCal Resist showed Moreida standing in the street recording an approaching SUV when its front-right corner struck him, knocking him to the pavement.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Coral Springs Police said 44-year-old Matthew John Ryan rammed a shopping cart with a dog inside into the menorah at Chabad of Coral Springs on North University Drive, knocking it completely over.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocking

Noun

The Amish Project debuted to critical acclaim at the New York International Fringe Festival and was developed at the Cherry Lane Theatre before premiering Off Broadway at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in 2009.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
The show’s soundtrack also garnered critical acclaim, with many of the covers performed by the cast making the Billboard Hot 100.

— Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Verb

Then left tackle Alaric Jackson was suspended by the NFL for punching a Bills player on the field after the game.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
When substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win with a superb shot into the top corner, Turan ran up the touchline, punching the air in delight.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026