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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Example Sentences
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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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Kurt's key takeaways Tesla's dream of a fully autonomous future keeps hitting speed bumps.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two had a peculiar conversation where Hawkins said Clifton missed smacking her rear end.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
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The first of 12 projects outlined in the book is a literal slapstick, the classic vaudeville tool used to imitate the sound of smacking someone with a stick.—
Michael Roberts,
Outside,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Another victim came to court, recounting a history of domestic abuse including choking and slapping by the defendant.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Payton lit into Moss on the sideline, slapping his clipboard, after the cornerback got a bit too handsy with Giants receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maeve is in the hen house with Jayson, banging his gun around and nearly strangling her.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
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The audience is put into her shoes, only able to decipher what is going on by listening to the men banging around the house trying to kill her.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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Sneaker waves are especially concerning, capable of knocking people off their feet, pulling them into cold ocean water, or trapping them under logs.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sam Khan spent some time inside the North Texas program for a look at how the Mean Green are punching above their weight.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After facing controversy for slamming the inclusion of a same-sex couple in Disney’s 2022 movie Lightyear, Snoop Dogg has changed his tune.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
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Stein responded on Monday to the GOP statehouse leaders' announcement by slamming them for failing voters and calling out how the state legislature has yet to pass a budget.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Officials stopped play, at first saying Smart called timeout, then waving off the timeout, saying Smart had only been clapping — although cameras appeared to show him making a timeout signal.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Bopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bopping. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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