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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bobbing
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
Fascinators — those bobbing bundles often of feathers, flowers and netting perched off-center of the wearer’s head — are banned here.
—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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
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
Verb
The strips are piled high in plastic bins, sprawled over tables and fed underneath bobbing needles.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
Fascinators — those bobbing bundles often of feathers, flowers and netting perched off-center of the wearer’s head — are banned here.
—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bobbing
Verb
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Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 13% off, shaving $20 off.
-
Evert allowed cameras to accompany her to treatments and doctor appointments and document her son shaving off her hair after chemotherapy.
Verb
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Conversations struck up while pumping gas or waiting for coffee.
-
Firefighters deployed to the Turkey Creek pumping station and tried desperately to keep the engine room dry.
Verb
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There was briefly some concern earlier this year that Chestnut wouldn’t be able to participate in the 2026 competition after he was arrested for allegedly slapping a man in an Indiana bar.
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Chestnut competed in the event while serving a 180-day probation sentence after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from drunkenly slapping a man in an Indiana bar earlier this year.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
-
The Rockets essentially dumped Finney-Smith in a cost-cutting move after making some free agent transactions, notably signing guard Marcus Smart, and surrendered three second-rounders to the Hornets to seal the deal.
Verb
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This tournament has built credibility by showcasing teams competing at a high level, then shaking hands afterward.
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An earth-shaking roar The World Cup finally arrived in Kansas City after several years of preparation and anticipation.
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.
-
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.
Verb
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Conviction should not prevent an investor from trimming or exiting once the valuation has absorbed the catalyst.
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While some varieties will rebloom without deadheading, trimming fading flowers keeps the flower bed from looking tired.
Verb
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The movie is an apex of film noir, filled with dark shadows, moody lighting and ominous swaying palm trees.
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In her two-story home, lamps and other objects began swaying violently.
Cite this Entry
“Bobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bobbing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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