bobbing 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of bob
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bobbing

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of bob
1
as in pumping
to make short up-and-down movements a family of ducks bobbing on the water

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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 bobbing
Verb
But the calm day gave way to terror when her uncle again looked out into the ocean and saw Summer’s head bobbing in and out of the water. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 And when the sun is shining, that also means the water’s sparkling, sailboats are bobbing, and seagulls are cawing. — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026 Amidst all those endlessly traversing ships and bobbing cranes, commerce flourished. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Despite Sarah’s flapping her cardigan in the air like a hungover color-guard girl at a homecoming parade, the hapless Irish naval men sent to save her remained beyond the bobbing waves. — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Rapp and his crewmate, Suzanne Driscoll, hoisted a lobster trap marked by a bobbing buoy from the Casco Bay. — Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 And that kind of thing didn’t happen in Mystic, a touristy escape from New York City complete with bobbing boats and sea lions doing tricks at the aquarium. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 Emirates is rolling out a new type of headrest that will keep passengers from bobbing side to side in Economy Class seats. — Eve Chen, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Guidry, at the prow, raised the lantern, revealed in the circle oflight a bobbing tangle of sargassum weed, a swimming snake, a child’s cloth doll. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bobbing
  1. shaving
  2. pumping
  3. slapping
  4. cutting
  5. shaking
  6. smacking
  7. trimming
  8. swaying
Verb
  • Go bananas with shaving cream Have your kids hop into a dry bathtub with their swimsuit on.
    — Michelle Crouch, Parents, 14 Aug. 2026
  • With competition so fierce in the race to build and release the latest AI models however, the expediency of shaving off every possible drag on speed trumps all.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of shaving
Verb
  • In that role, Hanke developed a framework showing that the federation would generate the greatest wealth for its people over time by pumping as much oil as possible.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Fortunately, your aligners can be worn for most of your heart-pumping workouts.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pumping
Verb
  • Lionel Messi was fined by MLS for lightly slapping Union attacker Quinn Sullivan.
    — Matt Piper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Universities are not just slapping corporate logos on uniforms and facilities but building entertainment districts that can be lucrative far beyond game days.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • The finding highlights the challenge that could lie ahead if the county’s mayor and commissioners try to significantly reduce property-tax spending without cutting pay or services in those areas.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In 2025, 8086 kilograms of denim waste from cutting-table offcuts, testing and second-choice samples was converted into 600 boards.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cutting
Verb
  • Knightsbridge was challenged over the opening mile by the speedy Full Serrano before shaking him off at the head of the stretch.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Hood makes the sign of the cross with his shaking hands and removes his glasses to wipe away a tear.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of shaking
Verb
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • The first came on a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ko Kieft, trimming Tampa Bay’s deficit to 9-7 with just under seven minutes to play in the quarter.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This relaxed-but-polished organic cotton sweater has a classic crew neckline and ribbed trimming to elevate the look.
    — Kaitlin Marks, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of trimming
Verb
  • Styled after a tropical paradise with swaying palm trees, Lost Island Waterpark offers endless aquatic fun during its summertime opening season, with slides, rides, and attractions.
    — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
  • After a few hours under the hot sun, there was no better cool down than swaying to Babyface classics.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of swaying

Browse Nearby Words

bobbinets
bobbing
bobbing (up)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bobbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bobbing. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bobbing

Nglish: Translation of bobbing for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All