claque

[ klak ]

noun

1. a group of persons hired to applaud an act or performer.
2. a group of sycophants:

   The agency head was applauded, as always, by a claque of appointees.

claque

/ klæk /

noun

1. a group of people hired to applaud
2. a group of fawning admirers

Word History and Origins

Origin of claque¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from French, derivative of claquer “to clap”

Word History and Origins

Origin of claque¹

C19: from French, from claquer to clap, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

DeSantis and his claque assert that Florida’s statistics are skewed by its older demographics, and that he should be praised for focusing on keeping Florida’s seniors safe.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet the medicine, most commonly used as a dewormer for farm animals and household pets, has been taken up as a cause by a right-wing claque of anti-government and anti-vaccine activists.

From Los Angeles Times

As we reported recently, the generic medicine, most commonly used as a dewormer for farm animals and household pets, has been taken up as a cause by a right-wing claque of anti-government and anti-vaccine activists.

From Los Angeles Times

Beginning as a feud between culturally ambitious game critics and a claque of revanchist fans, Gamergate became a free-floating snowball of grievance.

From The Verge

Donald Trump’s 2015 announcement speech is now remembered for his descent down the Trump Tower escalator, the hired claque of supporters and the wild accusation that Mexico was exporting rapists across the border.

From The Guardian