as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
she playfully bopped him on the head
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Recent Examples of bopping
There is a bopping, rhythmic assonance to Ginsberg’s unspooling lines, more incantation than poetry.
—
Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
After bopping around venues, the Jazz Showcase planted deeper roots under the Happy Medium in Streeterville, then the Blackstone Hotel.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Throw a linen shirt over the look and—voila—an adorable daytime look for bopping around Seapoint Main Road.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
The first summer Mike joined us for our annual pilgrimage to Watch Hill, Rhode Island—the last summer my dad was able to travel—the two of them spent hours bopping around the pastel-colored shops.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Pratt is reprising his starring role as Mario, the Koopa-bopping plumber and brother of Luigi.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Fans were on their feet bopping along.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Are Fanny and her mother related to Claire in some other way — Claire’s mother, Julia, sings the same song to her newborn son William, who could still be bopping around singing that song in the 18th century.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty bring crackling wit and easy chemistry to a mismatched pair bopping between boroughs.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
After bopping around venues, the Jazz Showcase planted deeper roots under the Happy Medium in Streeterville, then the Blackstone Hotel.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Throw a linen shirt over the look and—voila—an adorable daytime look for bopping around Seapoint Main Road.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
The first summer Mike joined us for our annual pilgrimage to Watch Hill, Rhode Island—the last summer my dad was able to travel—the two of them spent hours bopping around the pastel-colored shops.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Pratt is reprising his starring role as Mario, the Koopa-bopping plumber and brother of Luigi.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Fans were on their feet bopping along.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Are Fanny and her mother related to Claire in some other way — Claire’s mother, Julia, sings the same song to her newborn son William, who could still be bopping around singing that song in the 18th century.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty bring crackling wit and easy chemistry to a mismatched pair bopping between boroughs.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bopping
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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The purpose of any heat shield is to be sure the extreme temperatures that objects hitting Earth’s atmosphere experience don’t harm the crew or cargo inside the vehicle.—
Margaret Landis,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Deputies responded to a report of a driver smacking his car into a guardrail in front of The Bridge Restaurant before driving away, according to a sheriff’s office news release.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
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As the match got away from her in the second set and the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd became increasingly hostile, Andreeva fully unraveled, smacking another ball towards the roof and asking members of her box to leave.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The deputy's response, seen on bodycam video slapping the suspect during her arrest, is under review, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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In the run-up to the elections, Russia upped pressure on its ally by slapping import bans on Armenian products, including fresh fruit, flowers and spirits.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
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And on the other hand, there've been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.—
Mark Guarino,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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Cars pushed through the crowd, hitting at least one person as agitators continued banging, kicking and blocking government vehicles.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The complaint alleges Hickey was walking along a spectator pathway outside the arena fence when Party Bus suddenly jumped into the crowd and landed on top of her, knocking Hickey to the ground and crushing her right shoulder and right calf.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Georgia finished the season with a record of 53-14, won the SEC regular season and tournament titles, along with punching its first ticket back to Omaha for the first time since 2008.—
Hunter DeLauder,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
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He was also cuffed inside his Bronx home in 2024 after punching a family member in the face and choking them.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The bomber was in the air a very short time before slamming into the ground about halfway down the runway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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By Monday morning, Israeli politicians from across the spectrum were already slamming the deal, despite the fact that its details remain largely ill-defined.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Verb
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and first lady Ri Sol Ju greeted Xi at the airport in Pyongyang, with official footage showing the pair clapping as Xi’s plane landed, kicking off his two-day state visit.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Music producer Mark Ronson, 50, was also spotted in the crowd, clapping as Lipa, 30, and Turner, 36, made their entrance to the event.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bopping. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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