applaud

verb

ə-ˈplȯd How to pronounce applaud (audio)
Definition of applaudnext
as in to praise
to declare enthusiastic approval of I applaud your decision to take that advanced course

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of applaud The transformation of the Madison plant was also applauded by the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners and Madison Mayor William Phillips. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 Local officials posed around the giant baby blue ceremonial check, applauding as the mayor positioned it on an easel in view of the television cameras. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026 His return was widely applauded by fans years after he was dropped for reasons that were never publicly explained either to him or to viewers. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 Drummond applauded the court’s decision in a press release the same day. — Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for applaud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applaud
  1. praise
  2. hail
  3. commend
  4. salute
Verb
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Head coach Willie Simmons praised his team’s athleticism and talent through fall camp, while emphasizing the X’s and O’s with the season opener approaching.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Similar court decisions have happened across several Chinese cities and are being hailed as victories for workers’ rights.
    — Jennifer Pak, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department’s response during the 2023 shooting at The Covenant School was hailed as an example of training successfully put to use.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hail
Verb
  • Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue posted on Facebook commending the work of volunteers who banded together to care for the dogs.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • She was saluted by the Recording Academy in 2024 with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the previous year received the National Medals of Arts, the United States’ highest award given to artists and their patrons.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The tribute to the Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano founding partner aims to salute a towering career that has shaped, and often protected, some of the industry’s biggest names.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of salute

Browse Nearby Words

appetizingly
applaud
applaudable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Applaud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/applaud. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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