clap back

1 of 2

verb

clapped back; clapping back; claps back

US, informal

: to respond quickly and sharply to criticism

A lot of times when someone says something nasty to you online, your gut reaction is to clap back right away. It's always good to take a cooling-off period—I recommend sleeping on it.—

Patrick Crowley

This week, Mandy Moore clapped back at haters on Instagram after people accused her of Photoshopping her social media photos … "I am 5'10 and a size 6. I have NEVER photoshopped pictures … That's not what I'm about. If you're going to be rude about people's bodies, go elsewhere."—

Kitty Lindsay

clapback

2 of 2

noun

clap·back ˈklap-ˌbak

variants or less commonly clap back

plural clapbacks also clap backs

US, informal

: a quick, sharp, and effective response to criticism

Not to be confused with a garden-variety diss, a clapback is deemed by most as a targeted, often viciously acute comeback intended to place someone in much-needed check.—

Aaron Edwards and Ira Madison III

We all love a good clapback. It's a comeback but with that extra oomph.—

Mathew Rodriguez

The art of the clap back is a study in discernment, wit, and instinct, which is why it should come as no surprise that Rihanna, Internet queen, is the reigning champ of shutting down the haters.—

Cady Lang

Examples of clap back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Harris-Walz campaign is clapping back at Donald Trump using the lyrical prose of one Taylor Swift. —

Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 Sep. 2024 Chappell Roan at the VMAs 2024 clapped back at a red-carpet photographer, and the video has her stans assembling to ride at dawn. —

Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2024

Noun

But after the award went to Jodie Foster for True Detective: Night Country, Vergara took to social media for a sarcastic clapback. —

Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024 Many interpreted Biles' note to be a direct clapback at Skinner. —

Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for clap back

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clap back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.