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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flaps
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
a fish flopping around on the dock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of flops
Lisa Jhung, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Kuailu Flip-flops with Arch Support Thousands of shoppers are raving about these best-selling flip-flops, thanks to their comfortable arch support, non-slip soles, and stylish design.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Warm weather vacation essentials like bathing suits, towels, sunscreens, sunglasses, and flip flops are all popular basket-stuffers.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Two of last year’s most veteran teams, Penn State and Clemson, were flops.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Though, this being New Zealand, the flip flops may still go down just fine.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
With around $40 million stateside, and another $40 million internationally, the film appears poised to break Hollywood's string of box office flops as the industry continues to fret over the increasingly dire economics of theatrical releases.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
But the company also notched some notable flops.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
If, on the other hand, the movie flops, Jeff Bezos better start looking into $400 million airliners.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point, Alex comes over to recheck his map and, seeing Rizo attempt to analyze his work, flops over on the puzzle, causing Rizo to pause.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Their rubber outsole has decent traction to get me there and back (way better than flip flops), and the interior synthetic dries quickly.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Kuailu Flip-flops with Arch Support Thousands of shoppers are raving about these best-selling flip-flops, thanks to their comfortable arch support, non-slip soles, and stylish design.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Warm weather vacation essentials like bathing suits, towels, sunscreens, sunglasses, and flip flops are all popular basket-stuffers.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Two of last year’s most veteran teams, Penn State and Clemson, were flops.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Though, this being New Zealand, the flip flops may still go down just fine.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
With around $40 million stateside, and another $40 million internationally, the film appears poised to break Hollywood's string of box office flops as the industry continues to fret over the increasingly dire economics of theatrical releases.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
But the company also notched some notable flops.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
If, on the other hand, the movie flops, Jeff Bezos better start looking into $400 million airliners.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point, Alex comes over to recheck his map and, seeing Rizo attempt to analyze his work, flops over on the puzzle, causing Rizo to pause.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flops
Noun
-
Less than six weeks later, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was removed from her position, likely a result of a chain of PR disasters from DHS.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The deadly bus fire comes two months after one of the worst fire disasters in Switzerland in recent decades.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
First, a knight’s urgent secretion plops to the ground behind a tree that offers far too little.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The individual then plops the turtle back down, taps its shell a few times, and walks away.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Bluff collapses, sometimes caused by natural erosion, are not uncommon in north San Diego and along beaches in North County.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The game between Dallas and the Columbus Blue Jackets is postponed by the NHL after Stars forward Rich Peverley collapses on the bench during the first period.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To clean your garbage disposal, Lane suggests starting by cleaning the rubber flaps by using dish soap and a brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber flaps that line the disposal.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
New features like active aero (flaps that open on the front and rear wings) help forge a much closer relationship between the engine and the chassis around it.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Traditional tampons have vertical channels that can lead to fluid leaks and premature failures.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Some of these signs reference slavery and the successes and failures of the Freedman’s Colony.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the two men struggle with the jammed backdoor, Weisz’s character tosses them both a look before rushing toward the flames to grab her unfinished manuscript, written on legal pads, and dashing out of the cabin just in time.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Gyllenhaal lovingly crafts this scarred, stapled and eccentric Bonnie and Clyde duo then tosses them into a landscape of curiosities that matches their weird.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the Senate fails to pass it, what happens?—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Finally, the court will determine whether the TPS holders equal-protection claim fails on the merits.—
Zoe Sobel,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (center) flutters a Venezuelan and Cuban national flags in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flops. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
