Verb – Applaud
1 : to strike the hands together over and over to show approval or praise
(no object)
The audience stood and applauded (=clapped) at the end of the show.
(+ object)
Everyone applauded the graduates as they entered the auditorium.
The audience stood and applauded her performance.
2 : (+ object) to express approval of or support for (something or someone)
They applauded (=praised) the change in policy.
We applaud the decision to lower taxes.
I applaud their efforts to clean up the city, but they must do more.