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
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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
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During the Nashville stop of the group's latest world tour, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin interrupted the band's usual set list to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the rock legend who died Tuesday, July 22, at 76.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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The memorial grounds pay tribute to this beloved Moroccan king through its mausoleum which holds the tombs of Mohammed V and his two sons — the late King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah.—
Tiffany Leigh,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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This drew several laughs and applause from the rest of the cast and crew.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
23 July 2025
-
But awards never meant as much to him as applause from an audience.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
22 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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The most recent game in the series, Mortal Kombat 1, was released in 2023 to critical acclaim.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
17 July 2025
-
In addition to critical acclaim, E•MO•TION debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 album chart.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
17 July 2025
Noun
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One of the great theatrical speeches written in the last 25 years, this vertiginous paean to America’s pastime was no doubt a factor in O’Hare’s win.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
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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
Verb
-
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
-
Bello walked off the mound to a standing ovation, and following the game Cora heaped praise on the third-year right-hander.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
When the long round number finally in his back pocket, the crowd responded with the lengthy standing ovation.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
3 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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