1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in thump
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
as in to slap
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 clap
Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Acousticians often use a hand clap as a cheap substitute for pricey equipment to make acoustic measurements in architecture.
—Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Reno piled more than 40 clap tracks onto the production, though the volume of parts involved isn’t necessarily evident in the final cut.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Acousticians often use a hand clap as a cheap substitute for pricey equipment to make acoustic measurements in architecture.
—Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Children clapped and rattled shakers in time to Spanish and English songs performed by Nathalia Palis during her bilingual music presentation.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
As for her hair, the 57-year-old actor served real Marilyn Monroe energy, styling her hair in a bouncy bob with her micro bangs swept away from her face.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
22 May 2025
-
Among her most notable wigs are her fiery red look complete with feathery bangs in Practical Magic in 1998, her icy blonde waves in season one of Nine Perfect Strangers, her strawberry blonde curls in Eyes Wide Shut, and more.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
-
Their bodies sway to the rhythmic thumps of the hypnotic music, composed by the French artist Kangding Ray.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Five months after passing an ordinance to ban smoking in parks, the city of Fort Lauderdale finally slapped stickers on existing signs about this prohibition that do not get people’s attention.—
John Michael Pierobon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2025
-
Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
In other words, the construction boom is just what city leaders wanted to see happen downtown, says Mayor Dean Trantalis.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
-
What followed was a surreal black-market boom, a flurry of illicit heists, and the accidental canonization of fast-food pop art.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
The lawyers claim the measure signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this month has already dealt significant blows to campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational marijuana in the state.—
Kate Payne,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
-
In the rear of an IndyCar vehicle is a safety device called an attenuator, designed to cushion the blow from a rear impact into the wall.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The two smacked into each other last Thursday trying to catch a Cedric Mullins fly ball, leaving both with concussions.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
-
Indiana’s first unit smacked opponents by 12.2 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the Vault Collection is a blast from the past with dedicated items for various chapters of the resort’s history.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2025
-
Officials said embryos stored inside the clinic were not damaged by the blast.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
The Orioles organization has collapsed with a deadening thud.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2025
-
The big twist comes a touch too late — leaving the movie no time to deal with the ramifications of key revelations — and lands with an awkward thud.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share