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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clap
Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Derek Hough responded with a single slow clap—his signature nod of approval.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Officials stopped play, at first saying Smart called timeout, then waving off the timeout, saying Smart had only been clapping — although cameras appeared to show him making a timeout signal.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Derek's one word — or gesture — was a big clap.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Derek Hough responded with a single slow clap—his signature nod of approval.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Many in the crowd of nearly 200 people clapped to the tempo and swayed to the beat.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Officials stopped play, at first saying Smart called timeout, then waving off the timeout, saying Smart had only been clapping — although cameras appeared to show him making a timeout signal.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
Stewart stepped out with choppy baby bangs and wavy, shoulder-length hair in her natural shade of brunette that harkens back to her Twilight days.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Lawrence debuted her above-the-brows bangs in September at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are all about feeling every thump, and beat.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Another Boras client, Cody Bellinger, was nearing the end of his second season in Chicago, which did not deliver as much thump as his MVP-level 2023 campaign.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Payton lit into Moss on the sideline, slapping his clipboard, after the cornerback got a bit too handsy with Giants receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Inside the all-glass DJ booth in the center of the room sits a rubber chicken for Steve (Joe Keery) to slap as a sound effect while Robin (Maya Hawke) spins records.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kirk admits that the genre has been somewhat diluted by the boom.—
Douglas Markowitz,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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Whether this backlash will slow the data center boom, blacken the reputation of AI companies and their products with users, or hasten the roll-out of AI regulation globally remains to be seen.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The heist deals a huge blow to one of the most popular museums in the world, which houses valuable works like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and has drawn some 9 million visitors in recent years.—
NPR,
NPR,
20 Oct. 2025
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So, after scans revealed a back injury in July, to be without Cummins’ captaincy for any length of time would represent a considerable blow to his side’s Ashes hopes.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
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The previous year, another Hall of Famer, Dave Winfield, smacked the series-winning double in the top of the 11th inning of Game 6 against the Braves at old Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Springer has hit four home runs this postseason, but none at a more important time than his Game 7 blast.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Every day on that set was a blast.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The powerful primate makes contact with the glass wall with a heavy thud, which leaves the group near the wall gasping and yelping in fear.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Timpani, bass drums, and piano follow with a concussive thud.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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