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
Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty bring crackling wit and easy chemistry to a mismatched pair bopping between boroughs.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Famed film director Spike Lee and Hip-hop stalwarts Common and Black Thought could be seen bopping their heads to the Songs In The Key of Life favorite.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
This Zara Asymmetric Fringe Skirt captures to cozy, elevated look perfectly, ideal for everything from bopping around the city with my toddler to going out for cocktails in Milan.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025
In the next slide, David listened to the track back, bopping his head and smiling, pleased with the recording.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
According to various videos circulating, partygoers across the city were in for a surprise as Mamdani, 34, was spotted bopping behind DJ booths, MCing street parties, and participating in Halloween dance memes.
—Sirena Bergman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Famed film director Spike Lee and Hip-hop stalwarts Common and Black Thought could be seen bopping their heads to the Songs In The Key of Life favorite.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
This Zara Asymmetric Fringe Skirt captures to cozy, elevated look perfectly, ideal for everything from bopping around the city with my toddler to going out for cocktails in Milan.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025
In the next slide, David listened to the track back, bopping his head and smiling, pleased with the recording.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
According to various videos circulating, partygoers across the city were in for a surprise as Mamdani, 34, was spotted bopping behind DJ booths, MCing street parties, and participating in Halloween dance memes.
—Sirena Bergman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bopping
Verb
-
The 49ers went three and out on their next two possessions and were unsuccessful on throws outside the numbers after hitting the middle of the field with three completions on the scoring drive.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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After hitting just 4 of 30 threes against the Pacers, Miami opened 4 for 4 from distance, shot 8 for 16 on threes in the first half and finished 17 for 32.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And the good vibes of those wins quickly dissolved with Toronto smacking them around in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Malika was now smacking the rug in rhythm.—
Joan Silber,
New Yorker,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
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That means not just the sound of rubber slapping the pavement or the whir of electric motors—the soundtrack of a Formula E race—but something new and artificial or, more generously, bespoke.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
One woman carried a flag for Palestine, while a man banging a cowbell hung a flag of communist Cuba on his backpack.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Nikolas Lanum , Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Gamers have turned to walkthroughs and hints for years, but usually after banging their own heads against difficult challenges, and hence learning something in the process.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The right words can open doors the heart’s been knocking on for a while.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Once the buzz starts, fringe brands come knocking.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The University of Miami defeated Ole Miss, 31-27, in a Fiesta Bowl semifinal thriller, punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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That footage showed Jones elbowing, stomping and punching the boy, and prompted the police investigation.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bystander video footage that has since gone viral captured a masked federal agent fire multiple shots into Good's vehicle, which then drove up the street before slamming into the back of another car.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Convenience store owners are slamming the proposal as restrictive and unnecessary.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kittle was trying to encourage his teammates as he was being carted off, clapping in their direction.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Mann’s hilarious Brad says to Ben, grinning nervously and clapping his hands in an attempt to make friends.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bopping. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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