as in folding
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in plopping
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 collapsing
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 flapping
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
a fish flopping around on the dock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flopping
Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Much of the discussion following the game is about flopping and supposed favorable whistles for the Thunder.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Before Game 2, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch accused the Nuggets of flopping in the series opener.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Magnus shook his head, his damp hair flopping against the back of his neck.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
And who knows — the Warriors might have won Sunday if Porziņģis hadn’t fallen prey to Alpren Sengun’s flopping.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
Trimming by half will keep the foliage from completely flopping over and retaining too much moisture around the crown.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Much of the discussion following the game is about flopping and supposed favorable whistles for the Thunder.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 1 May 2026
This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Meyers asked if Winkler had any sense during previews that the show was flopping.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Before Game 2, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch accused the Nuggets of flopping in the series opener.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Magnus shook his head, his damp hair flopping against the back of his neck.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
And who knows — the Warriors might have won Sunday if Porziņģis hadn’t fallen prey to Alpren Sengun’s flopping.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flopping
Adjective
-
Their laundry room was filled with bright colors and ample folding space.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Most folding bookshelves are made from lightweight materials such as wood, bamboo or metal.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ball appeared to land on the boardwalk outside the stadium before plopping into McCovey Cove.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
-
The design is meant to be sleeker than just plopping in the lighting.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There have been 22 reports of the stools collapsing, with six injuries, including bruising and scrapes.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Cuba’s economy, which has been in a steep decline for several years, has hit rock bottom, and the population has been enduring shortages, blackouts and the effects of collapsing infrastructure.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The place is a sound-effects recording studio, with three sound designers creating and dubbing aural effects — footsteps on a sandy beach, flapping bird wings — onto pieces of film footage.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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The tents were flapping about in two or three feet of water.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Cubs did just enough to scratch a run across against Braves lefty Chris Sale, and the bullpen kept tossing up zeros en route to a 2-0 victory to snap a four-game losing streak.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is suspected of tossing a rock at the head of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — one of the rarest marine mammals on earth — on May 5 in an incident that was caught on camera by locals.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Is an important event missing from this date?—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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You could be forgiven for missing the name.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Putting up a hummingbird feeder in your garden or on your balcony or porch is a way to entice these fast-fluttering birds to visit.—
Lauren David,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
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Elke and Alysia started seeing the big bugs fluttering around in late April, and as their numbers grew through early May, the native rainbows started keying in on them more and more.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flopping. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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