1
as in bangs
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in thumps
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 slaps
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of claps
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
However, videos of a booing crowd with a few claps quickly made it to social media.
—Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Cody Bjugan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
And a couple claps their way through Swift's discography.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 8 Aug. 2025
Koko yelps and claps in surprise.
—David Cavell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Green claps along, and is visibly impressed when Freeman hits that signature high note.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2025
Detroit Pistons team owner Tom Gores claps during the press conference on July 30, 2021 at the Pistons Performance Center in Detroit, Michigan.
—Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024
When the camera zooms in on Haines, the gnat can be seen buzzing around above her head (as evidenced in Entertainment Weekly's extremely serious investigative photos below) before Goldberg launches her military action and claps her hands while Haines speaks.
—EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
As the crowd claps, Robert stares at Yas.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2024
Noun
Bounces reporter Ben Rothenberg noted that the president received some claps as well.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
However, videos of a booing crowd with a few claps quickly made it to social media.
—Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
Legacy is made from the small, repeatable disciplines no one claps for, but everyone benefits from.
—Cody Bjugan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
And a couple claps their way through Swift's discography.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 8 Aug. 2025
Koko yelps and claps in surprise.
—David Cavell, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Green claps along, and is visibly impressed when Freeman hits that signature high note.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2025
Detroit Pistons team owner Tom Gores claps during the press conference on July 30, 2021 at the Pistons Performance Center in Detroit, Michigan.
—Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024
When the camera zooms in on Haines, the gnat can be seen buzzing around above her head (as evidenced in Entertainment Weekly's extremely serious investigative photos below) before Goldberg launches her military action and claps her hands while Haines speaks.
—EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
As the crowd claps, Robert stares at Yas.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for claps
Noun
-
Bardot bangs and Old Hollywood bobs have also been red-carpet staples recently.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Instead, Ted slaps him in the face, twice.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Anthony thinks his fiancé wants a mother more than a partner, so Giuseppe slaps a pie into his face?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Minsky argued that during booms, free market ideology permeates the mindset of regulators.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Muss was 76 then and had endured his share of South Florida busts and booms.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His visit to her is the kind of single scene where an Oscar winner like Steenburgen knocks it out of the park.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The fun-loving entertainment hub doesn't yet have a US product page, but is up for pre-order on Amazon for US$799 (though there is a promo coupon available at time of writing that knocks a few dollars off that ticket price).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The buildings bore bullet holes and burn marks from artillery blasts.—
Ken Harbaugh,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Those blasts brought his career total to 361, tying him with the legendary Joe DiMaggio for the fourth-most home runs in Yankees history.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ali was scoring plenty with jabs and flurries, but his attempts to land big punches mostly fell flat.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But as any fan of either show will tell you, both are adept at delivering emotional gut-punches that have been known to leave viewers in tears.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the Great Depression hits, these estates become the targets of an ideological clash.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The Emmy winner voiced a role in DreamWorks’ The Bad Guys 2 and will soon be seen starring alongside comedian Nate Bargatze in his TriStar Pictures comedy The Breadwinner, which hits theaters on March 13.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Black-and-white stripes of all orientations and sizes packed a subtle preppy punch; giant sun hats were paired (expectedly) with breezy dresses and (unexpectedly) with sweater vests, ties and trousers; and bright pops of red infused the collection with intentional excitement.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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As in other stores, the material mix features concrete, plaster and steel, offering a neutral backdrop for the luxury and exotic goods, with pops of red, snakeskin and leopard.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Claps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/claps. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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