as in cheering
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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 clapping
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Ghalibaf wrote alongside three clapping emojis.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
There was no clapping or audible reaction from the audience in the courtroom.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
As the Illinois coach bounced around in the streams of water, Tyler Underwood stood nearby, laughing and clapping.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Attendees met the kick-off with clapping, whooping and chanting.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The crowd erupted into cheers and clapping.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Bob Saget’s widow, Kelly Rizzo, praised Stamos, adding several clapping emojis.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Others surged towards the casket, dancing, clapping, ululating; all through tears.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
An early scene sees the twins caught up in a flurry of breathless games, clapping in unison, finishing each other’s rhymes.
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Not just clapping, but pounding his fists against his chest.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
At the March 14 Las Vegas wedding ceremony, Zendaya could be seen posing with the couple and clapping along as the newlyweds shared their first kiss.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
My mother was clapping her hands.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
The room swelled with hooting and clapping as Samson Fellows climbed onstage.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
Doncic’s technical was his 14th of the season – he wasn’t whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
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.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
The video shows the helicopter flying outside of Kid Rock’s house as the musician stands near his pool, clapping and saluting the military personnel flying.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Ghalibaf wrote alongside three clapping emojis.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
There was no clapping or audible reaction from the audience in the courtroom.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
As the Illinois coach bounced around in the streams of water, Tyler Underwood stood nearby, laughing and clapping.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Attendees met the kick-off with clapping, whooping and chanting.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The crowd erupted into cheers and clapping.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Bob Saget’s widow, Kelly Rizzo, praised Stamos, adding several clapping emojis.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Others surged towards the casket, dancing, clapping, ululating; all through tears.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
A lot of the percussion in the score, in fact, is the Wells Cathedral school kids clapping and stomping.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
An early scene sees the twins caught up in a flurry of breathless games, clapping in unison, finishing each other’s rhymes.
—Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Not just clapping, but pounding his fists against his chest.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
At the March 14 Las Vegas wedding ceremony, Zendaya could be seen posing with the couple and clapping along as the newlyweds shared their first kiss.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
My mother was clapping her hands.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
The room swelled with hooting and clapping as Samson Fellows climbed onstage.
—Hazlitt, 11 Mar. 2026
Doncic’s technical was his 14th of the season – he wasn’t whistled for a second despite clapping at a referee to protest a no-call in the final minutes.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
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.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
-
The crew members were greeted by a cheering crowd of NASA staff, as well as members of the media and their families.—
Charlie Gile,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The cheering and chanting from the protest could be heard loudly from blocks away from the Capitol.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Airlines across the region, like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific are slapping hefty fuel surcharges on flights; Vietnam and the Philippines are even weighing whether to ground planes.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But every so often there comes a day that is so different—so unusual—so spectacular that its happening can only be chalked up to old-fashioned, knee-slapping good luck.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, an excellent academic publisher, Edinburgh University Press, has made a fine job of it, including a cover design, at the editors’ request, in tribute to the old Hogarth Press style.—
Hermione Lee,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud received a video tribute at the first timeout of the opening period.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Los Angeles, Jonathon Redondo-Rosales was charged with assault for smacking an agent with a hat after a car struck him.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But a leadoff walk in the top of the 9th allowed Eugenio Suárez to knock in what would prove to be the winning run, smacking a double to left center field and scoring pinch runner Javier Sonoja.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When the stroller finally collapsed into the flat position, the waiting crowd erupted into cheers and applause for the workers on the ground.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Turner gathered his papers, stepped off the platform, and walked back to his seat to a smattering of applause.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the fall, residents learn about the process through public service announcements, local media, door-knocking outreach or word of mouth.—
Celina Su,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the last 40 years, their lives and careers all took divergent paths marked by innovation, acclaim, and infamy.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Following successful tenures at Lacoste and Carven, her Bottega Veneta debut arrived to strong acclaim—and, to no one’s surprise, full shopping carts.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The man responded by punching the child's father in the nose, court documents said.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Michigan made a statement on Sunday, punching its ticket to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
