as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she playfully bopped him on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of bopping
To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Hope turned up on night two of the group’s DEADLINE world tour on July 6 at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, South Korea, bopping along to ROSÉ, LISA, JENNIE and JISOO from his seat.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
The guys' trademark move is bopping their heads in unison as the Haddaway hit plays throughout the sketch.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
According to onlookers, the Wicked star was bopping along the entire set.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
The first violins unfurl a lilting, lightly bopping tune in D minor.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The dance floor was filled with bopping fans as the opening band played Spanish rock.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
The Baltimore native has been bopping from city to city after the release of his 2023 debut, Erotic Probiotic 2, and spent most of his time last year on tour with Toro y Moi.
—Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Thompson opted for Nike athletic shorts and a gray muscle tank, bopping around as the two danced together.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Hope turned up on night two of the group’s DEADLINE world tour on July 6 at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, South Korea, bopping along to ROSÉ, LISA, JENNIE and JISOO from his seat.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2025
The guys' trademark move is bopping their heads in unison as the Haddaway hit plays throughout the sketch.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
According to onlookers, the Wicked star was bopping along the entire set.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
The first violins unfurl a lilting, lightly bopping tune in D minor.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The dance floor was filled with bopping fans as the opening band played Spanish rock.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
The Baltimore native has been bopping from city to city after the release of his 2023 debut, Erotic Probiotic 2, and spent most of his time last year on tour with Toro y Moi.
—Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
Thompson opted for Nike athletic shorts and a gray muscle tank, bopping around as the two danced together.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bopping
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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The Dodgers are one of the better teams in baseball at hitting changeups from lefties like Sánchez.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
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Cal Raleigh tied Mickey Mantle for most home runs in one season for a switch hitter after smacking his 54th dinger yesterday.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By slapping a $100,000 filing fee on H=1B visas, the White House has declared the days of cheap labor pipelines and visa abuse officially over.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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On the knee-to-knee collision between each team’s superstar, Collier badly rolled her left ankle and was lying on the floor and slapping the court with her hand as Thomas made her drive.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For many, banging them in against the likes of Konyaspor and Goztepe last term is not a convincing retort to those questions.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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In a trial that began Wednesday, six Cubans, including independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea, also face sentences of up to nine years in prison for staging a cacerolazo protest, banging pots and pans during a blackout in the Villa Clara province in November 2024.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Omarion Hampton injured his ankle, knocking him out of the game.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Some rope and stanchion kept them from knock, knocking on the wood.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While they were lined up, members put on boxing gloves and took turns punching the pledges four times in the chest, according to the petition.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Jahmai Jones’ two-run single in the top of the fifth proved the difference, punching Detroit’s ticket to the playoffs and ensuring the Tigers would go into Game 162 with a chance to claw back the AL Central title from the insurgent Cleveland Guardians on the final day of the regular season.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kirk followed Guerrero the next inning, slamming the first of his two homers over the outfield wall.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Nonprofit watchdog group Human Rights Watch and fellow comedians like David Cross and Marc Maron, however, are saying otherwise, accusing the festival of deflecting from the country's human rights violations and slamming their peers for their involvement.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wearing a yellow fringed dress, Jauregui spun and shook her hips alongside a safety vest-wearing Armstrong, ending the performance by quick-stepping over to the cocktail table, where her bandmates and Bankhead were smiling and clapping in celebration.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
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Carey said, clapping after celebrating her VMAs victories.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bopping. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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