as in cheering
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
As the clapping continued, Farhadi hugged his actors Catherine Deneuve and Virginie Efira.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 14 May 2026
The joke came either 6 (per Variety and THR) or 9 (according to Deadline) minutes after the clapping began.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 May 2026
But after about five minutes of cheering and clapping, Almodóvar didn’t know what to do.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
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
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
Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli commented on the brand's Instagram announcement with a series of clapping hands emojis.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
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
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
Noun
Mahomes’ personal trainer, Bobby Stroupe, commented on the post with clapping emojis.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
As the clapping continued, Farhadi hugged his actors Catherine Deneuve and Virginie Efira.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 14 May 2026
The joke came either 6 (per Variety and THR) or 9 (according to Deadline) minutes after the clapping began.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 May 2026
But after about five minutes of cheering and clapping, Almodóvar didn’t know what to do.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
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
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
Verb
The result, a collaboration with Joseph Shirley — whose composer credits include The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Creed III — is a beautiful, winding soundtrack that weaves between whistling, clapping Americana, gospel-like hymns and spiritual delta blues.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli commented on the brand's Instagram announcement with a series of clapping hands emojis.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
-
After a moment of silence was observed, Wilson's name was read, prompting supportive cheering and applause from the audience.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
But after about five minutes of cheering and clapping, Almodóvar didn’t know what to do.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The squad congregated outside the dressing room, slapping hands and hugging each other.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
Video from the incident shows Shields slapping Baumgardner's hand to punctuate a heated exchange.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Paying tribute to a South Carolina town destroyed in the 1950s for a nuclear materials plant, the Durham avant-folk trio's disquieting new album is both a community service and a spiritual offering.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
-
The news of Busch’s death has sent the motorsports world reeling, with tributes pouring in from all over the globe to Busch’s tenacity and penchant for winning.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
22 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
-
That’s cramming too many homes on limited acreage, especially in an area where traffic is already dangerous because of so many new developments, two neighbors told the board to applause from the Town Hall audience.—
Joe Marusak
May 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
-
Royer won the third set when Djokovic sailed a backhand long, triggering a roar of applause from the crowd.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
However, when his past comes knocking, he is forced to confront it.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
The footmen of such regimes always come knocking on your door at around four in the morning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Rodriguez earned acclaim for her screen debut in the boxing drama Girlfight (2000) and quickly established herself in action and crime movies.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
His work earned widespread acclaim, including 18 Joseph Jefferson Awards and numerous other honors recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the performing arts.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
After a breakup, the teen was spotted punching a tree and behaving irrationally, the declaration states.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Surveillance images of a man accused of punching two people on a CTA train at the Belmont stop for the Red, Brown, and Purple lines on May 25, 2026.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
