1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clap
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Gac got the crowd going a bit at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, with their drum-heavy track drawing a clap-along from the stands.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The entire flight clapped and cheered.
—Emma Graham, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
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
Gac got the crowd going a bit at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, with their drum-heavy track drawing a clap-along from the stands.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Doncic received his 14th technical foul of the season in the second quarter, and he wasn't whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The entire flight clapped and cheered.
—Emma Graham, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
Chalamet got into character for the New York premiere of A Complete Unknown, nodding to Dylan in a layered Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane outfit and new strawberry-blonde bangs.—
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
During the fight, one girl was seen being slammed to the ground, with a loud bang heard in the footage.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a sudden, loud thump, and Bernie Watermolen brought us awake with a yell that was enough to raise the dead.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Pitchers and catchers report This week, Albernaz gets a glimpse of his pitching staff and catchers, before the thump of an offensive lineup joins the workouts.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The administration has also slapped tariffs on some specific products, including steel, lumber, and cars.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The ingredients aren’t random cocktail names slapped onto standard drinks — they’re built to match the films.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Atom Power’s technology, which has been field-tested in the EV industry, is now being repackaged to fit the data center boom.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The generative AI boom has created a flood of low-quality, spammy images and videos online — a type of content that has become particularly concerning on YouTube and YouTube Kids because of the company’s enormous audience of children, toddlers and babies.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The final blow came in the 70th minute with Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s run down the left flank, setting up Miahara Niehues, making a late run in the middle, for the finish.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Hot tools are big and bulky, and most hotels provide some sort of blow dryer.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her furious attempts to extricate herself from Ramirez ended with her smacking her head on the parking lot asphalt and Ramirez hitting her in the right eye, according to the arrest report.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Everson’s head appeared to smack into the goal post.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hezbollah fired missiles deep into Israel, setting off air raid sirens in central Israel and its commercial hub Tel Aviv, as interception blasts sounded as far as Jerusalem.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Liege police said that the blast outside the synagogue happened in the early hours of Monday morning.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The room fills with the sound of meditative thuds against caribou skin drums and the haunting, throaty vocals of several Tasiilaq men and women.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Scream 4 landed with a thud upon release, but history has rescued its reputation among die-hards.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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