CLAPPING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

clapping 1 of 2

noun

as in cheering

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Dissimilar Words

clapping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clap

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 clapping

Noun

First, the Huskies mixed it up with some marching band members on the practice field outside of Huskie Stadium, jumping in on a routine and exchanging fight songs, with the players chanting, clapping and pumping their fists during their version. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Jackson and Esme stood next to each other clapping for their mom while Sarah could be seen snapping photos off to the side. — Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 The boos were more scattered and barely audible amidst the applause and cheers, which grew louder when the ballpark’s video boards showed the 2018 champ smiling, clapping, and waving from the visitors’ dugout. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Later in the service, the choir would sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of a gospel song that set the tone for the preacher to follow with his gospel message. — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Fans, who flooded the comments section showering her with clapping-hands and heart emojis, won't have to wait long to see the sportscaster in her new role. — Paris Close, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The crowd lustily makes known its approval, clapping and cheering and spilling out of the park and through the woods comparing favorite tracks and excitedly talking about the set. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 By the second set, the crowd was on its feet, dancing and clapping. — Marin Independent Journal, Mercury News, 25 July 2026 Please order her not to roll her eyes at my cheering and clapping. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Verb

His routine includes strolling toward the mound and sometimes clapping his hands before taking the baseball. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The sweet video showed Diplo clapping his hands and dancing behind his laptop and speakers, before the camera panned out to show the youngsters. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 Syrians gathered around the court in Damascus, chanting, clapping and waving the Syrian flag as news of the sentences spread. — Kinda Makieh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 The teams were the townspeople, clapping for a wardrobe nobody could actually see. — Jeremy MacLiver, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Eala supporters flooded the main stadium this week during her matches waving Philippines flags, and sometimes even clapping for opponents missed serves (a tennis etiquette no-no). — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2026 As the room applauded, the president did not appear to be clapping. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026 The audience was clapping along, and Vergara and Cowell were even mouthing the words. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 This was not the first time this season the two-time All-Star has been seen clapping toward other players or officials during a game. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping

Noun

The crowd erupted, some cheering and others brought to tears, a collective wave of emotion rolling over us as the sky went dark.

— Annissa Durar, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026
The kitchen men restarted their cheering as if someone in there was doing stage magic, and Uncle Jimmy leaned closer so he could be heard.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheering

Verb

At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slapping

Verb

Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Noun

One of the more surreal responses to that experience is applause, which ripples through the audience of Paranormal Activity a beat after all the major scares, like rain settling in after a peal of thunder.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Yadkin board’s moratorium decision was met by applause from the packed room.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of applause

Verb

And the defense module can neutralize them via electronics-frying HPM emissions, knocking satellites out without creating a cloud of space debris.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
For Lynn Parsons, knocking on a stranger’s door once made the difference between getting home and watching her car get towed away.

— Razak Diallo, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of knocking

Noun

For modern audiences, this scene likely evokes the imaginative world of Toy Story, the long-running film franchise about the secret lives of children’s toys, which launched to great acclaim in 1995 and recently released its fifth installment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Kusama represented Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale, becoming the first female artist to solely represent Japan at the event, and the accumulation of her work was met with acclaim.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Verb

In the film, ex-girlfriend Jill Jones reportedly accused Prince of repeatedly punching her in 1984.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
One recent City Series game at Wrigley also had three arrests and included viral brawl that many Cubs fans blamed on Sox fans, though video showed a guy in a Cubs jersey was punching a guy in a Cubs jersey as well.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026