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

But after Annapurna moved from financing its movies to distributing them in 2017, costs rose, flops piled up, and Megan Ellison scaled back her ambitions. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

In taking such a single-minded view of the market, Tottenham are hoping to avoid signing any expensive flops – think Tanguy Ndombele or Roberto Soldado – or talented players who are unsuited to English football, such as Giovani Lo Celso. — Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Bond yields are steady this morning after the Treasury’s debt buyback plan flops. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

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

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