as in thumps
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bop to the printer sometimes fixes it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in slaps
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she playfully bopped him on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bops
Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2025
Both are anthemic bro country bops in English.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Carpenter’s pivot from moonlighting in wan folk-pop and trop-house bops to topping international charts is due in part to a steamier approach conveniently timed to her signing to Island Records in 2021.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
But Blood Orange’s mid-tempo bops are intoxicating, to be sure.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
The album is filled with a dozen catchy, fun pop bops.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
While the show earns points for its soundtrack overflowing with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo bops, its driving force lies in the compelling performances of its young ensemble.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Hailing from New Jersey, the singer takes personal experiences and emotions and channels them into ballads and bops for fans to dance to, sing along with, and overall relate to.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
Recorded during her Orquídeas era, this unexpected drop further cements Uchis as a deft purveyor of bops that exist purely to elevate your mood.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2025
Both are anthemic bro country bops in English.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Carpenter’s pivot from moonlighting in wan folk-pop and trop-house bops to topping international charts is due in part to a steamier approach conveniently timed to her signing to Island Records in 2021.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
But Blood Orange’s mid-tempo bops are intoxicating, to be sure.
—Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
The album is filled with a dozen catchy, fun pop bops.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
While the show earns points for its soundtrack overflowing with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo bops, its driving force lies in the compelling performances of its young ensemble.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Hailing from New Jersey, the singer takes personal experiences and emotions and channels them into ballads and bops for fans to dance to, sing along with, and overall relate to.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bops
Verb
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Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
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Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
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My father had said to me, My heart hurt more than my body—the flesh can take blows, the heart suffers them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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However, that good news comes after Johnson suffered political blows from an obstinate City Council opposition over the recent budget, on top of other losses for his progressive agenda.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Alongside the likes of Slow Horses and Bad Sisters, Criminal Record has been one of Apple TV’s biggest UK hits.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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This hits home for us in Massachusetts, and residents should be paying attention.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Julio Cesar Chavez suffers his first loss in 91 fights when Frankie Randall knocks him down in the 11th round and wins the WBC super lightweight championship on a split decision.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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And then some thug comes along and knocks him over.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There were, like, broad clothing swipes, like, someone maybe was trying to destroy fingerprints.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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After a few fateful swipes, everyone’s lives begin to change.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Squad' rep's felon husband smacks phone from reporter 3.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Just as this monster is about to take out the entire team on the Abyss, a giant boulder flies through the air and smacks him in the face.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Amazon Prime miniseries run the gamut from psychological thrillers to nostalgic melodramas, proving short-form television can trade punches without overstaying their welcome.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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As the discovery process approaches neither side is pulling punches.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Poor Indigenous, Black, the people from the favelas, when the police go there and kill 120 people there, and the population basically claps and thinks that that’s great.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
2 Dec. 2025
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Legacy is made from the small, repeatable disciplines no one claps for, but everyone benefits from.—
Cody Bjugan,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bops. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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