stooped; stooping; stoops
1
a
: to bend the body or a part of the body forward and downward sometimes simultaneously bending the knees
b
: to stand or walk with a forward inclination of the head, body, or shoulders
3
a
: to descend from a superior rank, dignity, or status
b
: to lower oneself morally
stooped to lying
4
a
archaic
: to move down from a height : alight
b
: to fly or dive down swiftly usually to attack prey
1
a
: an act of bending the body forward
b
: a temporary or habitual forward bend of the back and shoulders
2
: the descent of a bird especially on its prey
3
: a lowering of oneself
: a porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda at a house door
Examples of stoop in a Sentence
Verb
She stooped down to hug the child.
He had to stoop to pick it up.
He tends to stoop as he walks.
He really did that? I didn't think he could stoop so low.
Noun (2)
the stoop at the front entrance is just big enough to shield a resident from the elements as he fumbles for his keys
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Dealing with rude colleagues isn’t about stooping to their level but preserving your professionalism.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Homes in my neighborhood have Knicks flags on their stoops swaying in the wind; hermetic friends have dusted off their Stephon Marbury and Amar’e Stoudemire jerseys and come through to stress over Thibs’ refusal to use his bench.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stoop
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Verb
The Padres have done such a good job of not stooping to their opponent’s level when the opponent was of a clearly lesser quality.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Dealing with rude colleagues isn’t about stooping to their level but preserving your professionalism.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
Thirty-five white rectangles, each with its own stoop and naked window.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Homes in my neighborhood have Knicks flags on their stoops swaying in the wind; hermetic friends have dusted off their Stephon Marbury and Amar’e Stoudemire jerseys and come through to stress over Thibs’ refusal to use his bench.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stoop
Cite this Entry
“Stoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stoop. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stoop
1 of 3 verb1
a
: to bend down or over
b
: to stand or walk with the head and shoulders or the upper part of the body bent forward
2
: to degrade oneself
stoop to lying
stoop
2 of 3 noun1
: an act of bending the body forward
2
: a forward bend of the back and shoulders that is temporary or by habit
stoop
3 of 3 noun
: a porch, platform, or entrance stairway at a house door
Etymology
Verb
Old English stūpian "to stoop, bend over"
Noun
from Dutch stoep "porch, stoop"
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