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 Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 Public perceptions of the police also change and are influenced by what people see on social media, said Hrar, who noted that officers were applauded for their bravery during terror attacks in 2015. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Schwarzenegger applauded Newsom for requiring the Legislature to pass a California Environmental Quality Act reform bill last year in exchange for signing the budget. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Current Fairfield Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, who is a candidate in the city's mayoral race, applauded the arrest. — Coleman Petit, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for applaud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for applaud
  1. praise
  2. hail
  3. commend
  4. salute
Verb
  • Supporters, including Catholic and Orthodox Jewish school advocates and Democrats for Education Reform, praised the move.
    — Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Global Reach, an advocacy group that works to free Americans detained abroad and currently represents five Americans held in Russia, praised the release but called for the other prisoners to come home as well.
    — Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • But what advocates hailed as a vehicle for democratic governance also has unleashed attack ads, seven-figure war chests and hardball politics.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Intismeran uses messenger RNA technology, the same platform pioneered in the development of Covid vaccines that’s hailed for how quickly it can be rolled out.
    — David Cox, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hail
Verb
  • Two Democratic political organizations are running adverts on the House’s bill to ban congressional stock trading, criticizing a Republican over the vote while commending a Democrat running in a different district for supporting the bill.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Related Articles The runway appearance of both Hosk and Palvin has set the internet aflame, with awed viewers commending the new moms and calling attention to the indelible power of women.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Stein was more delighted that the Portuguese newspapers saluted Celtic for their style.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • All this because that was the Ditka look everyone remembers, Saturday Night Live many times spoofed, and NFL films saluted.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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