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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of clap
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The season’s most moving episode returns to the question at the heart of Ellie and Joel’s relationship.
count those claps 9:07 p.m.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 17 May 2025
Adam Reiss, NBC news, 2 July 2025
Why are people clapping at 'A Minecraft Movie' in movie theaters across the US?
—Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
President Donald Trump, left, claps as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk prepares to depart after a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show on October 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The season’s most moving episode returns to the question at the heart of Ellie and Joel’s relationship.
count those claps 9:07 p.m.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 17 May 2025
Verb
After it was read, his family stood in the background, clapping and cheering.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 2 July 2025
Why are people clapping at 'A Minecraft Movie' in movie theaters across the US?
—Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
If indeed Jurassic World: Rebirth suffers a significant second weekend drop, summer audiences eager to get blockbuster bang for their box office buck will almost certainly turn to Superman to save the day.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Each metal tube is made of durable aluminum that lightly bangs against the chime’s internal bell and casts a calming sound across your backyard oasis.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Above her, the sweeping halo scoreboard glowed, flashing beneath the thump of blasting pop anthems.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
On the footage, the sound is a muffled thump, and neither Rush nor Foss seemed alarmed.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
In recent days, Trump has slapped tariffs of at least 20% set to begin Aug. 1 on more than a dozen countries.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
-
Reporter Andy Slater claims Davis is suspected to have hit his ex in the back of the head, as well as slapping her.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Hinge was acquired by the Match Group in 2019, which gave it some juice, and COVID-19 ushered in a pandemic-lockdown-era dating boom.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
-
Economists and business leaders maintain that tariffs probably won’t lead to a major American factory boom.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Pang’s departure is a blow to Apple’s AI ambitions and comes amid internal scrutiny of its AI strategy, which has so far failed to match the capabilities fielded by rival tech companies, leaving Apple dependent on third-party AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
-
The oil industry lobbies fiercely against such changes, arguing any state that adopts them would drive producers to friendlier regions, causing a blow to state coffers.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Standing all of 4-foot-5 and weighing 63 pounds, Indie-Reign routinely smacks the ball about 170 yards off the tee.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
In 1648, a group of English Puritans set sail from Bermuda to avoid religious persecution only to smack into Devil’s Backbone reef.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Spending included outlays for consulting, text blasts and mailings.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
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The blast marked the second time that Kolek has been ambushed by a first-pitch homer this season, a club record.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
The other shoe dropped with an unsettling thud recently when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt openly gay-bashed in defense of her controversial boss.—
Louis Balsamo,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2025
-
Her feet dangle, then land with a thud on the delicate rug hugging the side of her bed.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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