lopping (off)

Definition of lopping (off)next
present participle of lop (off)
as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument the hair stylist started by lopping off several inches from her long tresses, before beginning to shape what was left

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lopping (off)
Verb
  • But now, federal prosecutors say Hennen is the fixer behind the biggest point-shaving scandal in history, accused of bribing 39 college players, corrupting 17 programs and fixing — or trying fix — 29 games to enrich himself and other gamblers.
    Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
  • This matters especially for risky creative choices — Stone shaving her head for Bugonia, Jordan playing twins in Sinners, Hawke embodying the rapid-fire wit of Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Beijing has responded with a flurry of economic pressure, including cutting flights and warning citizens against traveling to Japan.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Last year marked a strong one for stock returns, despite a macroeconomic backdrop largely characterized by rising volatility amid escalating global tensions and a Federal Reserve rate cutting cycle.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Some school districts are already calling for e-learning on Friday, and trains across the city are cutting back on service.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
  • While low-income shoppers are cutting back on spending, high earners keep infusing the economy with their cash, fueled by stock and real estate gains.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Nash kick-started things with a quick six points to open the third quarter, trimming it to a one-point game at 40-39.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
  • This time, though, the Heat put together a 10-0 run as part of trimming the deficit to 103-92 entering the fourth.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Treatment typically starts with clipping the fur around the injury, cleaning the area and, if needed, suturing the skin.
    Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
  • In a newspaper clipping more than 50 years old, a photo shows two little girls in Ceres raking a huge pile of mulberry leaves.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 19 Jan. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lopping (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lopping%20%28off%29. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!