applaud the decision

Meaning

To express strong approval, praise, or agreement with a choice, policy, or ruling made by an authority or organization. While 'applaud' literally means to clap, in this context it is metaphorical and signifies public or formal support. The tone is respectful, supportive, and formal.

Examples

• Environmental groups were quick to applaud the decision to ban single-use plastics.

  Environmental groups were quick to applaud the decision to ban single-use plastics.

• Many local residents applaud the decision to build a new community park.

  Many local residents applaud the decision to build a new community park.

• While some criticized the policy, the majority of staff members applaud the decision.

  While some criticized the policy, the majority of staff members applaud the decision.

• We applaud the decision of the board to invest more resources into employee well-being.

  We applaud the decision of the board to invest more resources into employee well-being.

• The international community is likely to applaud the decision to sign the peace treaty.

  The international community is likely to applaud the decision to sign the peace treaty.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I applaud to the decision of the manager.

  ✓ I applaud the decision of the manager.

  'Applaud' is a transitive verb in this context and directly takes the object without the preposition 'to'.

• ✗ Everyone clapped the decision to extend the holiday.

  ✓ Everyone applauded the decision to extend the holiday.

  While 'clap' and 'applaud' are synonyms for physical clapping, only 'applaud' is used metaphorically to mean 'strongly approve of' a decision.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Activists around the country are expected to ___ to increase funding for public schools.

  💡 Strongly approve of the choice.

  Show answer

  applaud the decision

• We highly ___ of the committee to postpone the meeting until next week.

  💡 Praise the ruling or choice made.

  Show answer

  applaud the decision