1
as in ovation
enthusiastic and usually public expression of approval
a design for a memorial for the victims of the attack that has received nothing but applause from officials, commentators, and the general public
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accolade
public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement
a heroic effort by the fire department that deserves the applause of everyone in the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of applause
When Rideout was acquitted, the courtroom burst into applause.
—
S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
As Sunday's sombre procession reached its conclusion, applause began rippling from one end to the other as dozens of police and emergency services workers, some of them in tears, came up through the middle to be celebrated as heroes.
—Reuters, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
This shift reframes the balance between individuality and community — less about chasing applause and more about contributing something to the greater good of mankind.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Artists such as Arcángel, Yandel, Tito El Bambino, Jay Wheeler, J Alvarez, and Mau Montaner expressed support with applause emojis, affirming words, and gestures of admiration.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for applause
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applause
Noun
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The film garnered significant critical attention, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation on the Lido and later going on to win the inaugural International People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.—
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Head departed to a magnificent ovation, having registered his first ever century at the SCG, completing the set of hundreds at every Australian Test venue in the process.—
Noun
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Chalamet has counted a Critics Choice Award, Palm Springs International Film Festival award and a nomination at the upcoming Actor Awards among his accolades for Marty Supreme (all one year after earning the same nods for playing Bob Dylan in 2024’s A Complete Unknown).—
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The volume was eventually reprinted in the Modern Library—an accolade that greatly pleased its author.—
Noun
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As Oscar season ramps up, the 83rd Golden Globe Awards will fete a variety of movies and TV shows, plus give needed momentum to contenders aiming for glory at March 15's Academy Awards ceremony.—
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But Erivo is in it for the glory, not the fame, and will be missing out on the big show.—
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.—
Noun
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But while the recipients' cards had balances available to spend through lines of credit, the Treasury had rejected sending money to cover those purchases to grocers and other businesses that accept such cards, according to an Evers administration official.—
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And special credit goes to Payne, who caught two passes for 37 yards and the one TD despite playing with a brace on his right hand.—
Noun
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One that is more spiritually rewarding than praise or criticism in scouting reports.—
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Here in the United States, the writer and filmmaker Mike Judge has garnered praise over the course of his career for getting laughs out of broken systems and absurd ignorance in American culture.—
Noun
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The performance earned Millan his first NFL Offensive Player of the Week honor.—
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Scott Dolch, president and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, which bestowed the recent honor through their Crazies award, said Riverhouse Catering is one of the best not only in Connecticut, but the region.—
Cite this Entry
“Applause.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applause. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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