as in shaving
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in slapping
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bobbing
Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 10 June 2026
The strips are piled high in plastic bins, sprawled over tables and fed underneath bobbing needles.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 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
Metallic cat-eye and chrome finishes give the effect of an ice-cold glass, while sheer jelly polishes look almost exactly like the paper-thin slice of lime bobbing in your drink.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 May 2026
The series welcomes us into its world every week with a peppy pinball alien girl, bobbing and weaving her way through the myriad challenges of everyday life, never failing to arrive at her intended destination.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Two of them were bobbing a couple steps ahead for most of the 3,200-meter state championship race Thursday at Jeffco Stadium.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor 007 floats quietly at the mouth of Ballona Creek, gently bobbing with the tide.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Each node resembles a huge steel sphere bobbing on the water with a tube-like structure extending vertically down beneath the surface.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2026
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
The strips are piled high in plastic bins, sprawled over tables and fed underneath bobbing needles.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 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
Metallic cat-eye and chrome finishes give the effect of an ice-cold glass, while sheer jelly polishes look almost exactly like the paper-thin slice of lime bobbing in your drink.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 May 2026
The series welcomes us into its world every week with a peppy pinball alien girl, bobbing and weaving her way through the myriad challenges of everyday life, never failing to arrive at her intended destination.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Two of them were bobbing a couple steps ahead for most of the 3,200-meter state championship race Thursday at Jeffco Stadium.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor 007 floats quietly at the mouth of Ballona Creek, gently bobbing with the tide.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Each node resembles a huge steel sphere bobbing on the water with a tube-like structure extending vertically down beneath the surface.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bobbing
Verb
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In October, the feds announced a sweeping investigation into NBA point-shaving rings tied to the mafia.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Fairley also admitted Thursday to placing wagers and recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform in games in a separate NCAA point-shaving case brought by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Verb
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More than a hundred and sixty thousand students enrolled, pumping Tate’s content into algorithms already primed to amplify extreme ideas.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
The project, undertaken in coordination with the South Delta Water Agency, was intended to offset impacts from water exports by the Central Valley Project and State Water Project pumping plants.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 5,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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In the run-up to the elections, Russia upped pressure on its ally by slapping import bans on Armenian products, including fresh fruit, flowers and spirits.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The lead stretched to 12 before Brunson and the Knicks rallied again, cutting the lead down to five halfway through the quarter.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
What else is going on AI is cutting hours of office work for workers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Add 2 ounces of water to compensate for shaking.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
In a major rupture, strong shaking could last tens of seconds to more than a minute.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Deputies responded to a report of a driver smacking his car into a guardrail in front of The Bridge Restaurant before driving away, according to a sheriff’s office news release.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
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As the match got away from her in the second set and the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd became increasingly hostile, Andreeva fully unraveled, smacking another ball towards the roof and asking members of her box to leave.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
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Midfielder Mauricio pulled one back for Paraguay in the 73rd minute, trimming the United States' lead to 3-1.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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In an afternoon of dazzling outfits and daring dance moves, the performers got the audience clapping, singing and swaying along to their Elvis covers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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To secure his nomination, Blanche would need to convince any swaying Republicans on the Judiciary Committee to get in his corner.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bobbing. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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