1
as in bang
a loud explosive sound
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clap
Sharareh Drury, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The nature of Favre's slow clap drew backlash from some with pro-LGBTQ beliefs on social media.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Eight years ago, tech billionaire Jeff Skoll clapped enthusiastically as Al Gore assuaged the opening-night Sundance crowd just hours before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Jenner, dressed in a sparkling black floor-length gown, claps along with the rest of the theater and touches the Dune star’s cheek.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The nature of Favre's slow clap drew backlash from some with pro-LGBTQ beliefs on social media.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
The senator could be seen smiling and slowly clapping in response to the jab.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Eight years ago, tech billionaire Jeff Skoll clapped enthusiastically as Al Gore assuaged the opening-night Sundance crowd just hours before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
Her new bangs were notably parted to the side as her hair was styled in loose waves.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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In a game where each franchise’s resources are limited, the best teams are the ones who get the most bang for their buck.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rami Sinno is crouched beside a filing cabinet, wrestling a beach-ball sized disc out of a box, when a dull thump echoes around his laboratory.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Then the silence was broken by the loud thump of Olive’s .38/40.—
Horace R. Hinkley,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The short answer: President Trump and his insistence on slapping tariffs on key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
-
But that all changed in December, when Trump first threatened to slap heavy tariffs on his northern neighbor.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The boom, or hydraulic arm of the crane, snapped as the structure came down.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2025
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Given how low rates were during the first few years of the Covid pandemic, which sparked a massive refinance boom, there are now precious few borrowers who can benefit from a refinance at the current rates.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That’s a major blow to both sales and long-term customer loyalty.—
Samuel Mueller,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
His ruling, stopping the TPS revocation while the lawsuit plays out in his court, was a blow to the Trump administration.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Jordan Hicks pitched an efficient five-plus innings, Tyler Fitzgerald smacked a two-run homer and scored a run, and the Giants beat the Tigers, 4-3.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
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In actuality, everything — unbeknownst to him — was ridiculously staged in a pitch-perfect reality TV parody, as comedy improv actors like David Hornsby and pre-Saturday Night Live Kristen Wiig would put Gould smack dab in the middle of absurd situation after absurd situation.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In the recreation of the track’s music video, directed by Parris Goebel — who also worked on the original — the fans have a blast while delivering a fierce, heartfelt performance of the Mayhem single’s choreo.—
Rania Aniftos,
Billboard,
1 Apr. 2025
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Manning was playing steady QB for a group of about 15 kids, tossing the ball around as the boys and girls ran routes and had a blast.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Financial markets ended a tumultuous week with a thud, as stocks tumbled for a second straight day on concerns about the economic fallout from new U.S. tariffs and the prospects of a global trade war.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2025
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Asian equities ended the week with a thud as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia fell more than -1% as tariff talk (terror?) curtails animal spirits and Indonesia closed for Hindu Saka New Year.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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