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
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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
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Recent Examples of bobbing
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Little wonder, then, that the 2026 Padres are viewed as a sea-level performer, bobbing in San Diego Bay.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Even as the Hudson Theatre was still filling up, the star of the Harry Potter movie franchise (and much theater after that) was bobbing and flitting from row to row, exuding equal parts friendliness and determination of purpose.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The most effective methods are those that involve movement, such as long strips of aluminum foil, holographic mylar tape streamers, or bobbing balloons, says Pierce.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The Australian group is bringing along Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife to loosen up the crowd’s head-bobbing muscles.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2026
More than a thousand ships are stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz, bobbing in the water.
—Paddy Hirsch, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
After ten minutes in the water, Coach is out there bobbing along on his back with cramps in both of his calves.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Picture a waterfront bustling with bobbing fishing boats and the air tinged with the scent of fresh seafood, as San Hing Praya Street and Pak She Praya Road dish out alfresco dining scenes straight out of a sunset lover's dream.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
Rare was the creative artist, post-1970, who wasn’t churned up by bobbing in the Beatles’ wake.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Little wonder, then, that the 2026 Padres are viewed as a sea-level performer, bobbing in San Diego Bay.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Even as the Hudson Theatre was still filling up, the star of the Harry Potter movie franchise (and much theater after that) was bobbing and flitting from row to row, exuding equal parts friendliness and determination of purpose.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The most effective methods are those that involve movement, such as long strips of aluminum foil, holographic mylar tape streamers, or bobbing balloons, says Pierce.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
The Australian group is bringing along Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife to loosen up the crowd’s head-bobbing muscles.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2026
More than a thousand ships are stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz, bobbing in the water.
—Paddy Hirsch, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
After ten minutes in the water, Coach is out there bobbing along on his back with cramps in both of his calves.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Picture a waterfront bustling with bobbing fishing boats and the air tinged with the scent of fresh seafood, as San Hing Praya Street and Pak She Praya Road dish out alfresco dining scenes straight out of a sunset lover's dream.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bobbing. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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