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
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as in cheering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clapping
Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Cecilia was clapping her hands in vicarious delight.
—Bob Brody, Chicago Tribune, 23 Dec. 2024
Takeaways As some players danced to the music playing in the background, Davis was clapping and talking excitedly to his charges.
—Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Performers sing traditional Tajik songs, while guests let loose, dancing and clapping along.
—Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Last year, the couple chose a glam snap of them clapping at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany for their season's greetings.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
In a fan video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Swift can be seen cheering and clapping next to Donna, before pointing out someone on the field.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Editor’s picks Stomping their feet, clapping their hands, and slapping the table, the four characters sing of a man confined to Parchman while his lover is free.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024
On the other end of the court, the Bruins forced a Southern Utah turnover when Skyy Clark dove onto the court for a steal, clapping in celebration after the Thunderbirds compounded their mistake with a foul.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
Union also can be seen clapping beside them.
—Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Cecilia was clapping her hands in vicarious delight.
—Bob Brody, Chicago Tribune, 23 Dec. 2024
Takeaways As some players danced to the music playing in the background, Davis was clapping and talking excitedly to his charges.
—Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Performers sing traditional Tajik songs, while guests let loose, dancing and clapping along.
—Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Last year, the couple chose a glam snap of them clapping at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany for their season's greetings.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
In a fan video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Swift can be seen cheering and clapping next to Donna, before pointing out someone on the field.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Editor’s picks Stomping their feet, clapping their hands, and slapping the table, the four characters sing of a man confined to Parchman while his lover is free.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024
On the other end of the court, the Bruins forced a Southern Utah turnover when Skyy Clark dove onto the court for a steal, clapping in celebration after the Thunderbirds compounded their mistake with a foul.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
-
Despite its departure from standard Superman imagery, Smallville consistently paid tribute to earlier adaptations.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
11 July 2025
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Before the music began, Watanabe paid tribute to Minnesota Orchestra viola player Ken Freed, who died on June 29 while running in a sprint triathlon.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
When the price jumped from 5.5 million to 6 million euros in one swoop, there were whistles and applause.—
John Leicester,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Gasps and applause filled the Paris auction house as the price soared past previous records.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Verb
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The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Angélique Kidjo’s four-decade career has been marked by an unapologetic grace and global acclaim, with her 2025 Grammy nomination standing as a testament to the enduring success of authentic African artistry in the professional music world.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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And even that may not enable him to reach his previous level of acclaim.—
Curtis Bunn,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
In the 1950s, however, the book, a paean, casually yet confidently told the popular tales of Young George.—
Jack Fowler,
National Review,
4 July 2025
-
The result is an intimate, melancholy, frank, and surprising paean to reading and books.—
Donna Seaman
June 18,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2025
Verb
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But instead of stopping, Burnett tried to drive away, hitting a tow truck in the process, police said.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
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The first season of Severance was a kettle on a flame, hitting its boiling point around Episode 7, and then just boiling over for the final three episodes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After watching the montage from the visitors’ dugout, Pressly and Tucker stepped on the field, tipped their caps to the fans giving them an ovation, and gave a wave of acknowledgement to the coaches, staff and players who watched in the Astros’ dugout.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
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The premiere also included a Q&A, after which Scarlett and Lance earned a rapturous applause and standing ovation when the cast introduced them.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of drones being used as part of a Saturday night aerial light show in Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando appeared to be flying into position before several started falling from the sky before slamming to the ground, according to videos posted online.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
23 Dec. 2024
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His endorsement of the AfD came alongside a video of a far-right German commentator slamming the leading candidate to become Germany’s next chancellor, the conservative Friedrich Merz.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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