as in cheering
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clapping
Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Generally, Bryant says, the volunteer will get into the crawl space with the bear, get behind the massive animal and scare him by yelling, clapping and sometimes firing a paintball gun.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Historically, children have reworked rhymes and clapping games to draw on popular culture of the day.
—Rebekah Willett, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Though clapping and cheering happen, nothing to this degree usually takes place.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
The teaser is light on plot and heavy on stomp-clapping (topical), cutting between dance numbers and snippets from colonial life.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
Though conventional in its concept (family moves into house, spirits possess family, paranormal investigators exorcize spirits), the movie's significance comes from its execution, which electrified audiences with ominous clapping hands and expert control of tension.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Iker Zuriguel estimates there are some 20,000 to 25,000 people inside the stadium clapping, stomping, and yelling.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
For example, as clapping sticks.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Mann’s hilarious Brad says to Ben, grinning nervously and clapping his hands in an attempt to make friends.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
In the clip, Serhant, 41, and Stause, 44, jump up and down clapping together.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Many contests maintain that the frogs can be stimulated humanely to jump, such as someone blowing on them or clapping their hands behind them.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Bloom showed his appreciation for the joke story in the comments section of the Onion’s Instagram post, responding with three clapping hands emojis.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
Even during the screening, people were clapping at moments.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
Different stage, same discipline Acting taught me how to bring my best even when no one was clapping.
—Janet Lee, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
Hurzeler came out from the dugout, clapping.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
Those in the audience were heard clapping, cheering and even gasping during the performance.
—Verb
Kittle was trying to encourage his teammates as he was being carted off, clapping in their direction.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping
Noun
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It was greeted by the sound of loud, sarcastic cheering by the old London Road end and by Malcolm Shotton, Oxford’s moustachioed coach, who could have used the Pringles logo as a passport photo, throwing his jacket into the crowd in sarcastic celebration.—
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As the cheering faded, she could be heard sobbing, overcome by the frightening moments that had just passed.—
Verb
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
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That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.—
Noun
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The Elvis Tribute Spectacular' Fans can enjoy an era-by-era tribute concert, celebrating the music of the larger-than-life King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.—
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Jones often pays tribute to Kristy on social media.—
Verb
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And the good vibes of those wins quickly dissolved with Toronto smacking them around in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.—
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Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.—
Noun
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Public reactions were indicated by applause during the Holliday school children’s performances and the district’s recognitions.—
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He was given a hero’s applause from fans of both clubs when he was invited onto the pitch at half-time.—
Verb
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The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
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Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Noun
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One of that Courier’s founders won acclaim from his peers for his tenure as dean of the University of Maryland’s journalism school.—
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In 1994, Chinese-American actress Vivian Wu garnered critical acclaim after appearing in The Joy Luck Club.—
Verb
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The University of Miami defeated Ole Miss, 31-27, in a Fiesta Bowl semifinal thriller, punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.—
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That footage showed Jones elbowing, stomping and punching the boy, and prompted the police investigation.—
Cite this Entry
“Clapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clapping. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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