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
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Recent Examples of clap
Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
The rumble of discontent grew into the rapturous clap of thunder.
—Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Put the ‘Alabama, Arkansas’ stomp clap video in my TL again.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
The rumble of discontent grew into the rapturous clap of thunder.
—Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
Verb
There also were some attendees who clapped, per journalist Ben Rothenberg.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
The pompadour eventually found its way into the fashion muse’s beauty aesthetic, as did micro bangs, bleach-blond highlights, bowl cuts and bobs.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The kids bang toys on the ground.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bass-heavy tracks carry plenty of thump while vocals still sound crisp, and the companion app gives you real control over the EQ.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
-
And the thump, thump, thumping of her brother’s hands pounding a heavy bag.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Garraty is forced to slap himself across the face to stay awake as Barkovitch taunts him.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Fairweather said the apartment construction boom from the pandemic is over.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Yet so far his controversial experiment has failed to inspire a jobs boom.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such a move would not only disrupt the 170 million Americans who use the app but also deal a major blow to the creator economy, which relies heavily on TikTok for income and audience growth.—
Katie Salcius,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Losing wing-back Liberato Cacace — so impressive alongside Callum Doyle down that flank at Millwall a fortnight ago — to injury was a huge blow.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Chiefs crushed the Patriots that night, winning 41-14 at Arrowhead Stadium and Brady was benched after the Chiefs smacked him down.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Pinch-hitters Agustín Ramírez and Eric Wagaman then smacked consecutive RBI singles to deliver the Marlins their first lead of the series.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Smoke rises after several blasts were heard in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Several blasts were heard in Doha, witnesses said.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The quiet woodland echoed with the gentle thud of the workers’ axes.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Horror of this scale has the effect of deadening words, making stories of the most unimaginable violence land with a dull thud.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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