Synonyms of flops

flops 1 of 2

noun

plural of flop

as in disasters

something that has failed

the movie is such a flop that theaters showing it are the loneliest places in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disasters
• failures
• disappointments
• catastrophes
• busts
• bombs
• losers
• misses
• duds
• fiascoes
• shipwrecks
• debacles
• washouts
• lemons
• frosts
• clinkers
• clunkers
• turkeys
• messes
• fizzles
• bummers
• dogs
• shambles
• hashes
• botches
• has-beens
• near misses
• muddles
• also-rans
• nonevents
• nonstarters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hits
• successes
• blockbusters
• winners
• smashes
• phenomena
• corkers
• dandies
• crackerjacks
• jim-dandies

flops

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flop

1

as in plops

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

• plops
• tosses
• plunks
• plumps
• flings
• planks
• slings
• flumps
• heaves
• plants
• installs
• ensconces
• settles

2

as in collapses

to be unsuccessful

the attempt to run the ball into the end zone flopped, and our team lost by five points

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• fails
• folds
• misses
• struggles
• bombs
• tanks
• flunks
• strikes out
• falls short
• founders
• flames out
• lays an egg
• craters
• falls flat
• declines
• slips
• slumps
• crashes
• comes up empty
• washes out
• comes to grief
• flounders
• comes a cropper
• dies on the vine
• skids
• falls on one's face
• misfires
• sinks
• crumbles
• wanes
• miscarries
• implodes
• goes under
• self-destructs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• goes
• succeeds
• clicks
• delivers
• works out
• comes off
• goes over
• flourishes
• wins
• thrives
• cooks
• pans out
• triumphs
• prevails
• prospers

3

as in flaps

to move or cause to move with a striking motion

a fish flopping around on the dock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flaps
• flutters
• whips
• flicks
• waves
• flails
• swings
• knocks
• beats
• smacks
• bangs
• thumps
• sways
• pounds
• flits
• flickers
• fans
• oscillates
• batters
• spanks
• buffets
• undulates
• throbs
• pulses
• palpitates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flops

Noun

His play was a welcome change after his recent major-tournament flops. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Flip-flops are a summer no-brainer, but strappy sandals feel a touch more intentional and dressier. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 16 July 2026

Interestingly, many of the year’s biggest flops have been from once-dominant genres. — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2026

Lightweight, easy to pack, and made for slipping on in seconds, these Coach Jelly Flip-flops are the perfect companion for poolside lounging, seaside strolls, and everything in between. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

These money-losing vehicles by many accounts can be filed as flops and false starts. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 July 2026

John Wilson/Netflix ©2026 Netflix is going to throw away money on blockbuster critical flops anyway. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Trade the tricorn hats, bonnets and homespun shirts for flip flops, sneakers and soccer jerseys, and the intrepid revolutionaries of 1776 would have looked a lot like the people of 2026. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Those numbers, which dribble out over the weekend and are sometimes strategically leaked to show momentum (or, in some cases, flops-in-waiting), form the backbone of the entertainment industry’s narrative-driving machine. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

Verb

This cordless lamp comes in four warm neutrals, and all feature a ceramic shade that flops over its base like pastry dough. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2026

But when weighed down by the moisture, the grass flops over and doesn't present itself as well to the cutting blade. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 23 June 2026

One of the best bigs in [expletive] basketball history flops. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 4 May 2026

Joel Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in f—ing basketball history, flops. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025

Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

At one point, Alex comes over to recheck his map and, seeing Rizo attempt to analyze his work, flops over on the puzzle, causing Rizo to pause. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025