1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clap
Sharareh Drury, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The nature of Favre's slow clap drew backlash from some with pro-LGBTQ beliefs on social media.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Eight years ago, tech billionaire Jeff Skoll clapped enthusiastically as Al Gore assuaged the opening-night Sundance crowd just hours before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Jenner, dressed in a sparkling black floor-length gown, claps along with the rest of the theater and touches the Dune star’s cheek.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The nature of Favre's slow clap drew backlash from some with pro-LGBTQ beliefs on social media.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
The senator could be seen smiling and slowly clapping in response to the jab.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Eight years ago, tech billionaire Jeff Skoll clapped enthusiastically as Al Gore assuaged the opening-night Sundance crowd just hours before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
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Her new bangs were notably parted to the side as her hair was styled in loose waves.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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In a game where each franchise’s resources are limited, the best teams are the ones who get the most bang for their buck.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rami Sinno is crouched beside a filing cabinet, wrestling a beach-ball sized disc out of a box, when a dull thump echoes around his laboratory.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
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Then the silence was broken by the loud thump of Olive’s .38/40.—
Horace R. Hinkley,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Miss: The Ring General World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was interrupted by Jey Uso, who came through the crowd to confront him in the ring; despite Gunther's attempts to speak, Jey slapped the microphone away and questioned Gunther about his family.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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The conversation between the Beijing administration and the EU chief takes place after Washington last Wednesday slapped China and the EU with reciprocal tariffs of 34% and 20%, respectively.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,John Melloy,Ruxandra Iordache,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The boom, or hydraulic arm of the crane, snapped as the structure came down.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2025
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Given how low rates were during the first few years of the Covid pandemic, which sparked a massive refinance boom, there are now precious few borrowers who can benefit from a refinance at the current rates.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Image Other economists also said the blow to the labor market, which had cooled before Mr. Trump embarked on his global trade war, could be severe.—
Tony Romm,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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His ruling, stopping the TPS revocation while the lawsuit plays out in his court, was a blow to the Trump administration.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pennsylvania’s drift to the right was the fourth largest of the seven, smack in the middle.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
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Still, the Yankees managed to make things interesting in the ninth inning, as Volpe smacked a three-run homer off Arizona lefty A.J. Puk to cut the deficit to one.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the recreation of the track’s music video, directed by Parris Goebel — who also worked on the original — the fans have a blast while delivering a fierce, heartfelt performance of the Mayhem single’s choreo.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
1 Apr. 2025
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Manning was playing steady QB for a group of about 15 kids, tossing the ball around as the boys and girls ran routes and had a blast.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Financial markets ended a tumultuous week with a thud, as stocks tumbled for a second straight day on concerns about the economic fallout from new U.S. tariffs and the prospects of a global trade war.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2025
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Asian equities ended the week with a thud as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia fell more than -1% as tariff talk (terror?) curtails animal spirits and Indonesia closed for Hindu Saka New Year.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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