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
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
The host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise, Cohen is bobbing and weaving from one reality universe to the other in many different forms.
—Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
Naval mines bobbing in the waters of the Persian Gulf, threatening oil tankers.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Here on the shore, overlooking the lighthouse and the harbor’s bobbing boats, partners Claire Hanrahan and Andrew Ainslie’s restaurant is the epitome of laidback chic with its country-kitchen interiors and butter yellow frontage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What was a human being a second before is now a head bobbing among the waves as the vessel moves quickly away.
—David Szondy
april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
In a video posted by TikTok user @livingmyloylife, which was later stitched by the official Carnival Cruise account, an orange rescue boat is seen bobbing through choppy waters to meet the sailboat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
The host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise, Cohen is bobbing and weaving from one reality universe to the other in many different forms.
—Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
Naval mines bobbing in the waters of the Persian Gulf, threatening oil tankers.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Here on the shore, overlooking the lighthouse and the harbor’s bobbing boats, partners Claire Hanrahan and Andrew Ainslie’s restaurant is the epitome of laidback chic with its country-kitchen interiors and butter yellow frontage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What was a human being a second before is now a head bobbing among the waves as the vessel moves quickly away.
—David Szondy
april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
In a video posted by TikTok user @livingmyloylife, which was later stitched by the official Carnival Cruise account, an orange rescue boat is seen bobbing through choppy waters to meet the sailboat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bobbing
Verb
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This awesome little robovac-mop is literally shaving a full workday a week off her already insane I'm-a-mom schedule.—
Joe Salas
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
-
Sobbing while shaving head in…what’s that movie?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 May 2026
Verb
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This is a type of life support that does the work of the heart and lungs, pumping blood outside the body through a machine that oxygenates it using a microporous membrane that allows for gas exchange.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
-
The first conclusion is that all groundwater users pumping from the Floridan Aquifer are in part responsible for declining flows at the many hundreds of artesian springs in Florida.—
Robert Knight,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Among the plaintiffs, two protesters faced minor charges that were quickly dropped—each accused of impeding a federal officer for slapping the agent’s phone from their hand—while the other two were charged with no crimes at all.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
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That meant a pre-existing zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic was overridden, slapping new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The back-to-back debates offered plenty of cutting moments as Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality television star Spencer Pratt faced off against each other.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Porter focused on cutting bureaucracy, calling for a single statewide development permit to streamline approvals and reduce delays.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
-
About 180,000 people experienced light to strong shaking, according to the USGS.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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After making a slew of undrafted free-agent signings, the Broncos are trimming their offseason roster as rookie minicamp kicks off this weekend.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
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Brian Kemp signs 34 bills, trimming his backlog with days left to act on this year’s legislation.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The sensation of swaying high above the ground might be impossible to quell at the World Cup.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
The stream ended abruptly, but not before cameras captured Peters’ eyes seemingly rolling back in his head and his body swaying.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bobbing. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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