as in folding
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1
as in plopping
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in collapsing
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 flapping
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
a fish flopping around on the dock
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flopping
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Before Game 2, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch accused the Nuggets of flopping in the series opener.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Magnus shook his head, his damp hair flopping against the back of his neck.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
And who knows — the Warriors might have won Sunday if Porziņģis hadn’t fallen prey to Alpren Sengun’s flopping.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Girlfriend scales the diaristic, bric-a-brac charm of Janky Star into a high-drama pop monument to trying, flopping, and trying even harder next time.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Much of the discussion following the game is about flopping and supposed favorable whistles for the Thunder.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Before Game 2, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch accused the Nuggets of flopping in the series opener.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Magnus shook his head, his damp hair flopping against the back of his neck.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
And who knows — the Warriors might have won Sunday if Porziņģis hadn’t fallen prey to Alpren Sengun’s flopping.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Girlfriend scales the diaristic, bric-a-brac charm of Janky Star into a high-drama pop monument to trying, flopping, and trying even harder next time.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flopping
Adjective
-
Most folding bookshelves are made from lightweight materials such as wood, bamboo or metal.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The three units feature the same folding action and design, but certain specs vary.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The design is meant to be sleeker than just plopping in the lighting.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But few are as rage-inducing as plopping into a gaping pothole.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It was abandoned in 1961 and nature took its course, with brambles spreading and structures collapsing.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
-
The problem is those roofs cannot go too low without the roof potentially collapsing, creating fire and explosion risks.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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And that jockey was flapping and flapping about the top of his horse, lookin’ like a chicken—elbows jumping this way an’ that, but the horse was spent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Smaller birds darted around, their small wings flapping rapidly.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fulton finished the game, ultimately tossing four innings and giving up two runs in Miami’s 7-4 loss to the Orioles — the Marlins’ fourth consecutive defeat that has them 1-5 so far on this 10-game homestand.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
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As the beat dropped, the friends jumped into action — tossing pink flower petals, dancing and laughing before embracing at a glam station.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
We now are faced with missing holidays with them to comply with their demands.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Just 93 seconds later, with the Wild on its first power play of the game and Wedgewood missing his stick, Hughes scored his fourth goal of the playoffs, giving Minnesota its first multi-goal lead of the series.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Fungus Gnats These 1/8-inch-long delicate-looking gnats may be seen flying near the soil surface of houseplants or fluttering around the house (they’re attracted to light).—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Kick your legs in small up-and-down fluttering motions while keeping your lower back flat and abs tight throughout.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flopping. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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