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
Producers like Shungu, QThree, Mike Shabb, and Elsesser himself let their legato phrases repeat ad infinitum, gently bobbing like a dinghy in agitated waters. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026 While the view from my balcony, overlooking yachts bobbing in the marina and Table Mountain further beyond, was lovely, nothing compares to the two-bedroom Cape Grace suite, with its panoramic perch over the mountain and harbor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Noun
Big, bouncy curls are always gorgeous, and this shoulder-grazing bob proves it. — Aleah Wright, InStyle, 8 July 2026 Actress Jessica Chastain, meanwhile, shared a photo of her hair styled up in a bob. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 July 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
  • The movie could stand to shave off 10 minutes from its midsection on the ocean, which often suffers from too many flat, green-screen backgrounds.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • Just last month the Federal Bureau of Prison’s website readjusted it, shaving a few months off.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • Pitching in the rotation spot vacated when Randy Vásquez went on the IL with a right ankle bruise, Márquez overcame a 31-pitch first inning and was able to walk off the mound four innings later pumping his fist after throwing just 51 more.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of pump
Verb
  • Beyond Hicks’ contributions, Heriberto Hernandez and Owen Caissie hit home runs, while Lopez and Edwards each tallied a hit, while Jakob Marsee ended the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning.
    — Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • He was evaluated by the medical staff, hit in the cage and decided to play.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of hit
Noun
  • After the bride, that distinction will next belong to Ashley Smith, sister of Kansas City Chiefs lineman Trey Smith, whose catch of the bridal bouquet drew cheers, even if the bouquet itself erred on the side of restraint.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • When fans saw the bouquet, which appeared to be tied with a ribbon, some were less than impressed.
    — Lisa Gutierrez July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Definition of bouquet
Verb
  • But hotels in Miami or Fort Lauderdale aren’t as desperate now to cut them.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Clean larger produce, like melons, with a brush and cut away any bruised or damaged portions.
    — Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The question is whether Thompson will shake free from the Mavericks, either through a buyout or trade.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • The wine and cocktail menu sports a few local makers too, including Gruet Winery’s sparkling wine and Hollow Spirits vodka, which is shaken into the restaurant’s take on a Vesper martini.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Then the team did it, sitting on the field after beating Ivory Coast to reach the round of 16, with captain Martin Odegaard banging the drum.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of bang
Verb
  • That includes a bath with breed-appropriate shampoo, a blow-dry and brush-out, a haircut or trim based on breed and preference, nail clipping and filing, ear cleaning and eye area cleaning.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • At 14 songs and 62 minutes, the album would have benefited from trimming three or four of the more generic tunes.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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