as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
bobbed her waist-length hair herself on her 18th birthday
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in slapping
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
he playfully bobbed his brother on the nose to get his attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bobbing
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor 007 floats quietly at the mouth of Ballona Creek, gently bobbing with the tide.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Each node resembles a huge steel sphere bobbing on the water with a tube-like structure extending vertically down beneath the surface.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2026
The host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise, Cohen is bobbing and weaving from one reality universe to the other in many different forms.
—Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
Naval mines bobbing in the waters of the Persian Gulf, threatening oil tankers.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Here on the shore, overlooking the lighthouse and the harbor’s bobbing boats, partners Claire Hanrahan and Andrew Ainslie’s restaurant is the epitome of laidback chic with its country-kitchen interiors and butter yellow frontage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What was a human being a second before is now a head bobbing among the waves as the vessel moves quickly away.
—David Szondy
april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
In a video posted by TikTok user @livingmyloylife, which was later stitched by the official Carnival Cruise account, an orange rescue boat is seen bobbing through choppy waters to meet the sailboat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Two of them were bobbing a couple steps ahead for most of the 3,200-meter state championship race Thursday at Jeffco Stadium.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 May 2026
The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor 007 floats quietly at the mouth of Ballona Creek, gently bobbing with the tide.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Each node resembles a huge steel sphere bobbing on the water with a tube-like structure extending vertically down beneath the surface.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2026
The host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise, Cohen is bobbing and weaving from one reality universe to the other in many different forms.
—Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
Naval mines bobbing in the waters of the Persian Gulf, threatening oil tankers.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Here on the shore, overlooking the lighthouse and the harbor’s bobbing boats, partners Claire Hanrahan and Andrew Ainslie’s restaurant is the epitome of laidback chic with its country-kitchen interiors and butter yellow frontage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
What was a human being a second before is now a head bobbing among the waves as the vessel moves quickly away.
—David Szondy
april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
In a video posted by TikTok user @livingmyloylife, which was later stitched by the official Carnival Cruise account, an orange rescue boat is seen bobbing through choppy waters to meet the sailboat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bobbing
Verb
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In practical terms, that is roughly a 1–2 percent reduction in total mission velocity change, which is the equivalent of shaving a few liters off every hundred liters in a long-distance road trip.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
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Gonce's daily life revolves around caring for Jason — administering medicine, preparing food, bathing and shaving him and keeping him safe.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Shaggy was holding a squishy ball between his knees and pumping his arms up and down, making his whole body quiver.—
Natalie Meade,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Those are the longest plaudits of the festival, though Refn and cast were doing some cheerleading and pumping the crowd up after the lights went up, which likely prolonged the celebration.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
Verb
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At the surrounding tables patrons were talking, laughing, slapping one another heartily on the back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
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From Rome, Rubio announced the administration was slapping additional sanctions on Cuba.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The Tempo didn’t make things easy, cutting the deficit to two points late and later trailing by just three with 31 seconds remaining and possession of the ball.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
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The bridge demonstrates a new, lighter approach to low-carbon infrastructure, cutting waste and CO₂ by depositing concrete only where needed.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The other shows the two world leaders shaking hands.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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Rinse under cold water 1 minute, shaking to ensure a thorough rinse.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Mamdani’s Executive Budget rightly addresses some of this excess, trimming DOC’s uniformed headcount by 586 positions, and putting the city on track to save $78 million next year.—
Jason Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
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The conglomerate also fully exited Amazon after trimming the position late last year.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The sensation of swaying high above the ground might be impossible to quell at the World Cup.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
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The stream ended abruptly, but not before cameras captured Peters’ eyes seemingly rolling back in his head and his body swaying.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bobbing. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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