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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flaps
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 flops
Noun
Finish the look off with an elevated sandal like these minimalist flip flops from Dolce Vita or with feminine Mary Janes like Carel’s iconic Kina, and a statement bag like the Tommy from Staud. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Acid hues aren't limited to athletic sneakers or flip flops any more—they're also now on the heels of elegant, tasteful women. — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 25 July 2026 From flat flip flops to short kitten heels, a thong sandal pairs perfectly with any of your summertime maxi dresses. — Jennifer Hussein, InStyle, 25 July 2026 Venice last year included several high-profile premieres, but many — Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite — were award season flops. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 There’s also Anne Hathaway’s blue matching set worn with heeled flip flops and sunnies. — Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 No coastal escape is complete without flip-flops, and the KuaiLu Flip-flops from Amazon are no exception. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026 His play was a welcome change after his recent major-tournament flops. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Interestingly, many of the year’s biggest flops have been from once-dominant genres. — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2026
Verb
Starter addition flops Last season’s trade deadline wound up being a big flop. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026 The second play shows that this column isn't really about whether Clark flops. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flops
  1. disasters
  2. plops
  3. collapses
  4. flaps
  5. failures
  6. tosses
  7. fails
  8. flutters
Noun
  • These factors make its impacts somewhat of a wild card, experts say, with the effects of global warming acting in concert with El Niño to heighten the severity of heat waves and other disasters.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The organization was created by a group of BBQ pitmasters after the deadly 2011 EF-5 tornado in Joplin, Missouri, with the purpose of feeding communities after disasters.
    — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of disasters
Verb
  • Richard Mille has teamed up with Italian bicycle manufacturer Colnago on a new tourbillon, a timepiece that essentially takes many of the features of the brand’s sleek bikes and plops them right on your wrist.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
  • Then a volcanic eruption plops a curious soft echidna’s egg in his path.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 12 June 2026
Definition of plops
Verb
  • Hermione, overcome with grief from the sudden death of her other son, collapses and dies offstage.
    — Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps even Daeron, who in the book dies ignobly early in the battle, either by a random one of Addam’s soldiers or when his burning pavilion collapses on him.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapses
Verb
  • If your dispenser has a latch that flaps open, make sure there is nothing blocking the flap to keep the pod from releasing and dissolving.
    — Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The robot flaps five to six times a second to maintain flight.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 9 July 2026
Definition of flaps
Noun
  • The failures of Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns’ major offseason shakeup are felt most acutely at first base and second base.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Equipment failures, especially of pavers, can pose setbacks during resurfacing.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of failures
Verb
  • Philip Marlowe as Chandler’s private eye is a smooth talking, whiskey-drinking character who tosses suggestive suggestions and 38 revolvers around with equal aplomb.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The grandfather is seen running around a few trees, but the bison soon catches up and tosses the helpless visitor eight feet in the air.
    — Suzanne Yeo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of tosses
Verb
  • The bill fails to address the true drivers of rising premiums.
    — Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • West Brom’s fortunes may ebb and flow but the highest ground in the EFL, at 542 feet above sea level, rarely fails to deliver.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of fails
Verb
  • The flag of Iran flutters in the wind outside of the IAEA headquarters.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Iran’s flag before the 1979 revolution — green, white and red with a lion and a rising sun — flutters from many overhangs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Definition of flutters

Browse Nearby Words

floppy
flops
flops (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Flops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flops. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of flops for Spanish Speakers

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