Synonyms of bob

bob 1 of 3

verb (1)

as in to shave

to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument

bobbed her waist-length hair herself on her 18th birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shave
• cut
• trim
• clip
• mow
• snip
• cut back
• shear
• prune
• pare
• dock
• lop (off)
• crop
• poll
• nip
• whittle
• stump
• shorten
• skive
• pinch
• manicure
• curtail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• lengthen
• elongate

bob

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbäb 

1

as in to pump

to make short up-and-down movements

a family of ducks bobbing on the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pump
• shake
• jerk
• sway
• nod
• wag
• jog
• bobble
• duck
• rock
• jounce
• wiggle
• seesaw
• swing
• wobble
• oscillate
• undulate
• jiggle
• drop

2

as in to hit

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner

he playfully bobbed his brother on the nose to get his attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hit
• bang
• smack
• slap
• knock
• punch
• clap
• clip
• slam
• pound
• whack
• strike
• swipe
• bat
• crack
• bop
• nail
• box
• chop
• kick
• hammer
• thump
• swat
• tag
• bash
• slug
• poke
• tap
• zap
• biff
• lick
• clock
• jab
• flick
• sock
• belt
• thwack
• push
• bludgeon
• paste
• clobber
• bonk
• whale
• clout
• rap
• smite
• shove
• stab
• bump
• stroke
• bust
• slog
• wallop
• rough
• pepper
• maul
• hang one on
• pummel
• pelt
• bung
• lash
• mangle
• knee
• beat
• cuff
• butt
• batter
• slash
• cane
• stamp
• dump
• buffet
• fell
• spear
• cream
• lace
• deck
• lambaste
• drub
• whip
• scuff
• bean
• prod
• pommel
• jostle
• conk
• club
• floor
• brain
• flail
• knock down
• bunt
• switch
• sledge
• bowl (down or over)
• skull
• cudgel
• level
• sap
• flog
• thrash
• sucker punch
• sledgehammer
• rabbit-punch

bob

3 of 3

noun

Scottish

as in bouquet

a bunch of flowers

the lassie carried only a little bob on her wedding day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bouquet
• posy
• nosegay
• garland
• corsage
• lei
• arrangement
• boutonniere

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bob

Verb

Kenzo leaned back so that his bobbing Adam’s apple was visible, and drank it down in one gulp. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Rapp and his crewmate, Suzanne Driscoll, hoisted a lobster trap marked by a bobbing buoy from the Casco Bay. — Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026

Noun

After growing the pixie cut back out into a bob, the Mad Men actress showed off her hair while rocking a lacy blue co-ord set in selfies posted to Instagram in March. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026

In front, Palo Alto 30-somethings bob in the waves on their surfboards, cheered on by their WASPy spouses clad in linen tunics, who keep half an eye on their salty-haired offspring hunting for seashells on the beach. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026