CLAPBACK Definition & Meaning

clapback

[ klap-bak ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sharp response to criticism or an insult; a quick comeback:
She had the perfect clapback to the crude comment about her looks.
The dictionary is known on social media for its clapbacks and shade, showing how wit can gain consumer attention online.

verb phrase

to respond sharply to criticism or an insult:
He’s faced a lot of negative comments online, and in some cases he’s clapped back at the trolls.
She’s never been afraid to clap back at a hater.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of clapback¹

First recorded in 2000–05; clap ¹( def ) + back ²( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The rapper has since deleted the offensive tweets — but not quickly enough to save himself from a Wayans clapback.

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Sliding this new series into the paroxysmal dialogue over immigration and diversity would seem easy enough, except for the fact that Vijal Patel didn’t create the show as a clapback to current events.

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Carly Pearce is fast becoming country music’s queen of the clapback.

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On the 15th anniversary of Kanye West’s VMAs interruption, will Taylor Swift stage the ultimate clapback by dropping the long-awaited ‘Taylor’s Version’ of her West revenge album, ‘Reputation’?

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With this year’s VMAs and the anniversary looming, will Swift stage the ultimate clapback by dropping the long-awaited “Taylor’s Version” of her West revenge album, “Reputation,” to mark the occasion?

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