clap back
Quick verbal counter
Clap back is a sharp, often witty retort to criticism or insult—fighting words with words.
The term emerged from hip-hop culture, where verbal sparring carries weight.
Unlike a simple comeback, a clap back typically matches or exceeds the original attack in intensity: She clapped back at the haters on Twitter.
The noun form describes the response itself: Her clap back went viral.
- retortQuick, cutting reply
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- riposteSwift clever reply
- counterFlat service surface
- replyVerbal or written answer
snark · subtweet · spill the tea · comeback · zinger · mic drop · response · go off · retaliation · repartee · mess with · viral · knuckle up · talk to the hand · rebuttal · shade · barb · dispute
- slang verbsyeet, slay, vibe, flex, diss
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
- cyber conflictstrolling, cyberbullying, flame war, online harassment, doxing
- internet culturememes, meme, trolling, influencers, content creators
- New York Slangdeadass, bodega, fuhgeddaboudit, fuggedaboutit, yo
clap backsay nothing
Refrain from speaking
hold one's tongue · bite one's tongue · remain silent · keep quiet · take it on the chin
clap backback down
Withdraw from a stance
submit · capitulate · yield · defer · acquiesce
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