Thesaurus results for CLAPS

claps 1 of 2

noun

plural of clap

as in bangs

a loud explosive sound a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in thumps

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth

Synonyms & Similar Words

claps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clap

as in slaps

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

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 claps

Noun

Tears flowed, and the audience held space for grief, offering supportive claps and chants. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2026 There was no standing ovation, only a few sporadic claps mixed in with folks cheering for Fitzpatrick. — Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026 Lots of claps all around, as production in the area is still down significantly over five-year averages. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026 That’ll be the stormiest period of the weekend, with gusts up to 40 mph and potentially more claps of thunder. — Anthony Edwards, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026 There were the polite claps after good attacks by the Swiss, sarcastic whistles by the Qatari fans after their team again failed to mount a threat. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026 Other players, especially the younger players and newcomers, did head over toward La Familia and give them waves and claps. — Miami Herald, 19 May 2026 One of the moments in the musical that caused the most laughter and claps from the audience was the final song, which mocks the idea of using violence as a form of protest rather than joining a movement or focusing on policy. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 These were claps of relief and encouragement from a European audience bracing for a mauling like JD Vance’s onslaught last year. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026

Verb

And a couple claps their way through Swift's discography. — Bryan West, The Tennessean, 8 Aug. 2025 Anderson stops at second base, claps his hands four times, then stands there quietly. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026 Legacy is made from the small, repeatable disciplines no one claps for, but everyone benefits from. — Cody Bjugan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025 His climber fails to get Camper Kyle to the ground in time, but Bauer claps enthusiastically. — Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026 The crowd claps and cheers, screaming wildly when Buteau drops it rather politely before strutting with Peppermint to their seats on stage. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 Feint claps for the President could be heard on the ABC broadcast, but they were overwhelmed by the Bronx cheer. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 June 2026 Poor Indigenous, Black, the people from the favelas, when the police go there and kill 120 people there, and the population basically claps and thinks that that’s great. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2025 Audience member Najla Abdel Rahman Abbas claps along to the music, her face showing both sorrow and exuberance. — Intessar Fadl Allah, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for claps

Noun

The long, curly ends she was once revered for were now chopped to her chin, while her bangs mingled over her brows.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
Playfully making a surprised expression at the camera and giving a big thumbs up, the bride-to-be styled her dark blonde hair in a sleek style with her front bangs swept to the side.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 30 June 2026

Definition of bangs

Noun

Agents yelled from every direction, and the thumps of a news helicopter overhead were deafening.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
You’ll be thrown around in your seat, which moves in sync with the action, along with thumps in the back, splashes of water, blasts of air, smoke, and flashes of light.

— Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026

Definition of thumps

Verb

Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026

Definition of slaps

Noun

In one video, several loud booms can be heard as a fireball appears behind buildings in the direction of the city’s port.

— Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Video footage of the dogs at Dingo Doggies Campus shows the pups walking on treadmills, training in the gym and relaxing on beds while booms and fireworks sounds can be heard in the background.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of booms

Verb

My parents tell stories about me sleeping through loud construction, alarms, and heavy knocks on my bedroom door.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026
Palestra instead knocks it past him with his right foot with great balance in a tight space.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 27 June 2026

Definition of knocks

Noun

Consulting a design on a computer screen, the workers arranged the numbered pieces — from 14 inches to 12 feet long — into a grid on an oversize worktable and attached them with rapid nail gun blasts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Macron and Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa addressed the matter in a joint press conference after two bomb blasts went off by the hotel where the French president spent the night, injuring at least 18 people.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026

Definition of blasts

Noun

The poster also alleged Martinez was the one acting racist and had thrown the spice tajín in her face before any punches were thrown.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Members of Rita's loyalty program who use the Rita’s Ice app will get double loyalty punches with a purchase of the treat.

— Mike Snider, USA Today, 2 July 2026