flop 1 of 2

noun

Definition of flopnext
as in disaster
something that has failed the movie is such a flop that theaters showing it are the loneliest places in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flop

2 of 2

verb

ˈfläp How to pronounce flop (audio)
1
as in to plop
to throw or set down clumsily or casually they lazily flopped themselves onto the couch to watch the game flopped the bag of groceries onto the counter

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2
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful the attempt to run the ball into the end zone flopped, and our team lost by five points

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to flap
to move or cause to move with a striking motion a fish flopping around on the dock

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flop
Noun
The movie, of course, was the 1975 flop turned cult hit The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and audiences came dressed as their favorite character. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026 The 1984 film was, however, considered a critical and commercial flop. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
Designs against the three targets that flopped scored nearly as well as designs against the ones that produced binders in quantity. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 In Bait, Ahmed stars as struggling actor Shah Latif, who flops in his audition to play James Bond and then becomes consumed by the quest to become the first Pakistani 007. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flop
  1. disaster
  2. plop
  3. collapse
  4. flap
  5. failure
  6. fold
  7. flutter
  8. bust
Noun
  • Displaced from their homes, hundreds of families resettled on the low-lying banks of the Trishuli river – only to face yet another horrific disaster on Wednesday.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Purchase and install emergency generators, integrate electrical systems, and conduct testing and preparedness activities so participating rural hospitals can maintain critical services during outages and disasters.
    — Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of disaster
Verb
  • Most versions of the story focus on the shock ending, the moment the ribbon comes untied and Jenny’s head plops to the floor.
    — Jennifer Givhan, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Here, there’s no need to take off the stand, or rotate it and lock a tab in place like OhSnap’s previous grips — pull out, plop phone on surface, done.
    — Sean Hollister, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of plop
Verb
  • Sunny Patel’s father, Jitendra (ph), traveled to the region from New York for a spiritual retreat, crossing the border into Tibet to start the trek when the glacier collapsed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists who studied satellite images said bedrock underneath a glacier high in the Himalayan region had collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it.
    — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • Above the dancers flapped a ring of American flags, each representing a military veteran from the community who had passed away.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Thanks in part to a National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship, Drew explored several designs for flying and became interested in creating robots that flap their wings in a way similar to real-life creatures.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of flap
Noun
  • The failures resulted in a divorce during the offseason and this exhibition game at Hard Rock Stadium was the first time the couple happened to be at the same place at the same time since the split.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • For five months, these players have underperformed, much to the chagrin of their front offices and the fans, who repeatedly boo their failures.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of failure
Verb
  • For a precision folding bike where millimeter-perfect alignment dictates how smoothly the hinges open and close, keeping the metal perfectly straight is a manufacturing advantage.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Temple of the Moon surrounds a 30-foot central tower with an organic, inward-folding design intended for gathering and reflection.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fold
Verb
  • These days, Jackson and her drag king character live in Ramsgate, a port town on England’s southeast coast where – much like Pat’s flag – strings of Union Jacks flutter along the harbor.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of flutter
Noun
  • That is because the Ivorian cocoa industry remains tethered to the boom and bust of commodity prices.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Nothing can ruin your day quite like the dull ache of underwire hoisting up your bust.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bust

Browse Nearby Words

floozy
flop
flop (down)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flop. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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