bob 1 of 3

verb (1)

Definition of bobnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bob

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbäb How to pronounce bob (audio)
1
as in to pump
to make short up-and-down movements a family of ducks bobbing on the water

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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

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bob

3 of 3

noun

Scottish
as in bouquet
a bunch of flowers the lassie carried only a little bob on her wedding day

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bob
Verb
The world was not watching, but the ostriches were, their heads bobbing above the pen like periscopes. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 According to Calavante, bobs need a trimming every six to eight weeks to maintain their shape. — Sarah Madaus, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
Another notable look featured Chastain rocking a voluminous, curly bob while posing in a cobalt blue satin gown. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Oct. 2026 It’s been five years since Eilish went platinum blonde, debuting a Marilyn Monroe-esque bob styled in Old Hollywood waves at the 2021 Met Gala. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bob
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bob
  1. shave
  2. pump
  3. hit
  4. bouquet
  5. cut
  6. shake
  7. bang
  8. trim
Verb
  • Those with a SacRT ticket or digital pass can get $2 shaved off their rink ticket fee.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • For pretty chocolate curls, warm a bar of milk chocolate in your pocket or hand, then shave with a sharp vegetable peeler.
    — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Their findings, published in Langmuir, could help address the challenges the industry faces with conventional liquid and gel propellants, including fuel movement inside tanks and pumping fuel into engines.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • These are year-round destinations that offer world-class art, adrenaline-pumping slopes, and family-friendly activities.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of pump
Verb
  • Moderna just hit a new high The stock is up about 36% in a month.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Because their immune systems are still developing, influenza can hit them hard and fast and can quickly spiral into serious complications including pneumonia, extreme dehydration, brain inflammation or death.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • Schommer, who has been learning floral design and sharing her arrangements through an art account, created two bouquets for the shop.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The room opens onto the dining room, centered on a Børge Mogensen Øresund table surrounded by Gio Ponti chairs and a bouquet of sunflowers resting on it.
    — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of bouquet
Verb
  • Jovany Barragan’s second field goal — a 35-yarder on an untimed down — cut Serra’s deficit to 21-6 at halftime.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The verdict came just three days after regulators seized Ueno Bank, cutting nearly 3 million customers off from their savings and bank cards and setting off a political crisis.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Sitake winds up practice with a prayer and insists that the defense and offense shake hands after going at one another all day.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mothers who beat, shook, shot, drowned, strangled, and stabbed their babies.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Plus, Skullcandy's Crusher Bass technology utilizes dedicated bass drivers to really give you a head-banging experience, sending bone-shattering bass pulsating through your skull.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • And although the set wasn’t particularly long, Charli rocked it, sending heads banging everywhere.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • Health insurers have grappled with elevated medical costs in recent years as consumers increased their ​use of healthcare services, prompting companies to raise premiums, trim benefits and exit less profitable plans.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2026
  • From Christmas cocktails and tree-trimming ideas to gift wrapping, recipes, and musical moments, each segment adds warmth, fun, and fresh inspiration.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of trim

Browse Nearby Words

boats
bob
bobbed
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Cite this Entry

“Bob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bob. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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