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
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Recent Examples of clap
Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Acousticians often use a hand clap as a cheap substitute for pricey equipment to make acoustic measurements in architecture.
—Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Noun
Reno piled more than 40 clap tracks onto the production, though the volume of parts involved isn’t necessarily evident in the final cut.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Acousticians often use a hand clap as a cheap substitute for pricey equipment to make acoustic measurements in architecture.
—Ars Technica, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
Children clapped and rattled shakers in time to Spanish and English songs performed by Nathalia Palis during her bilingual music presentation.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025
Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clap
Noun
-
As for her hair, the 57-year-old actor served real Marilyn Monroe energy, styling her hair in a bouncy bob with her micro bangs swept away from her face.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
22 May 2025
-
Those are the brands that can give you the best bang for your buck.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
-
Their bodies sway to the rhythmic thumps of the hypnotic music, composed by the French artist Kangding Ray.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Five months after passing an ordinance to ban smoking in parks, the city of Fort Lauderdale finally slapped stickers on existing signs about this prohibition that do not get people’s attention.—
John Michael Pierobon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2025
-
Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
They were raised during the internet boom, financial decentralization, and the notion that digital identity and ownership matter.—
Chrissa McFarlane,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
These population booms were followed by a period of decline in immigration numbers.—
Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
In the rear of an IndyCar vehicle is a safety device called an attenuator, designed to cushion the blow from a rear impact into the wall.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
The lawyers claim the measure signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this month has already dealt significant blows to campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational marijuana in the state.—
Kate Payne,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The two smacked into each other last Thursday trying to catch a Cedric Mullins fly ball, leaving both with concussions.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
-
Indiana’s first unit smacked opponents by 12.2 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Not every blast from the past deserves a place in your future.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
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For another blast from the past, head to Funland in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware—technically just above the Mason-Dixon line, but a longtime favorite for many Southern families thanks to its arcade games, old-school rides, and salt-air nostalgia.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
The Orioles organization has collapsed with a deadening thud.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2025
-
The big twist comes a touch too late — leaving the movie no time to deal with the ramifications of key revelations — and lands with an awkward thud.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clap. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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