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
Marc Malkin, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
John Waters is in the background clapping.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
In a video released Wednesday, clapping could be heard from a crowd that gathered as Zapata Nájera was removed from the mine, seeing daylight for the first time this month.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Attendees met the kick-off with clapping, whooping and chanting.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Following suit, Charlotte could be seen clapping along with her mama while watching along.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Cherry climbed onto the chair, clapping.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The artist formerly known as Kanye West may be enjoying a triumphant return to the stage, but not everyone is clapping.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
The Pirates posted a photo of his family's reaction on social media, showing family members clapping, cheering and hugging each other.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
The pic, posted on Lorraine’s Stories, shows Jack clapping and smiling with a clapping Joni Mitchell sitting next to him.
—Marc Malkin, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
John Waters is in the background clapping.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
In a video released Wednesday, clapping could be heard from a crowd that gathered as Zapata Nájera was removed from the mine, seeing daylight for the first time this month.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Attendees met the kick-off with clapping, whooping and chanting.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
To see players announced and introduced after 10 minutes of pointless waiting and camera shots of team executives sitting around a table looking at laptops before clapping after every decision.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Following suit, Charlotte could be seen clapping along with her mama while watching along.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Cherry climbed onto the chair, clapping.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The artist formerly known as Kanye West may be enjoying a triumphant return to the stage, but not everyone is clapping.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping and trying to rally his team.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
The Pirates posted a photo of his family's reaction on social media, showing family members clapping, cheering and hugging each other.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
-
And no cheering from the Dallas fans.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Monster Jam is known for its loud, high-energy atmosphere, where cheering is encouraged and every moment is designed to keep the crowd on its feet.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The movie's December 2022 release was largely overshadowed by the aftermath of Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at that year's Academy Awards.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This is simply slapping lipstick on a pig and, once again, taking no accountability.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Work Isn’t Finished, a tribute by her longtime friend the filmmaker Jem Cohen, who photographed her and her work over several decades.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
An Elvis tribute artist named Hayden Lynn was performing.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
-
De Kock smashed eight boundaries and seven sixes and Dhir complemented his South African teammate by smacking three fours and three sixes in the century partnership.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In their applause and standing ovations, Democrats were clearly more supportive than many Republicans of King Charles' remarks stressing the importance of the NATO alliance and protecting the environment.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Kim Kardashian recovered from being booed for about 15 seconds upon taking the podium to receiving big laughs and applause for some of her quips.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Iranians have been knocking around in the United States’ critical infrastructure for years.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shortly after the final whistle blew in Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United, the players went over to take the acclaim from their supporters.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The groundbreaking comedy-variety series ran for 11 seasons, earning widespread acclaim along the way.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.—
Mike Schneider,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
