1
as in skills
knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something
that pianist really doesn't yet have the musical chops to do that piece justice
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Recent Examples of chops
Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
The proposal chops $150 million from the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which battled against the largest budget cut in last year's negotiations.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
And then the council comes along and chops it off.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Take your time to let the pork chops sear and brown.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Dexter then stabs Prater in the chest and chops his body into pieces.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Consider two investors, one who invests $7,500 at the beginning of the year, and another who chops it up into $288 biweekly investments.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
The proposal chops $150 million from the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which battled against the largest budget cut in last year's negotiations.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
And then the council comes along and chops it off.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Take your time to let the pork chops sear and brown.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Dexter then stabs Prater in the chest and chops his body into pieces.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chops
Verb
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The campaign reaching the ballot would add to a series of looming questions about the future of the map, which slices through Kansas City.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
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Arrange slices 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.—
Anna Theoktisto,
Southern Living,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This beloved Microplane zester is made from stainless steel and designed with a unique tooth set that grates hard spices, citrus, cheeses, and more as smooth as butter.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
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And though Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter's dysfunctional love story still grates, corporate drama and spikes of heart drive the Paramount+ series.—
EW Staff November 14,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Oxo Good Grips Vegetable Chopper This one-cup chopper efficiently dices small ingredients, like garlic and nuts.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chops. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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