Synonyms of bob

bob 1 of 3

verb (1)

as in to shave

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

• shave
• cut
• trim
• clip
• mow
• snip
• cut back
• shear
• prune
• pare
• dock
• lop (off)
• crop
• poll
• nip
• whittle
• stump
• shorten
• skive
• pinch
• manicure
• curtail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• lengthen
• elongate

bob

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbäb 

1

as in to pump

to make short up-and-down movements

a family of ducks bobbing on the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pump
• shake
• jerk
• sway
• nod
• wag
• jog
• bobble
• duck
• rock
• jounce
• wiggle
• swing
• seesaw
• wobble
• oscillate
• undulate
• wabble
• jiggle
• drop

2

as in to hit

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

• hit
• bang
• smack
• slap
• knock
• punch
• clap
• clip
• slam
• pound
• whack
• strike
• swipe
• bat
• crack
• bop
• nail
• chop
• box
• kick
• hammer
• thump
• swat
• tag
• bash
• slug
• poke
• tap
• zap
• biff
• lick
• jab
• clock
• flick
• sock
• belt
• thwack
• push
• bludgeon
• paste
• clobber
• bonk
• whale
• clout
• rap
• shove
• smite
• stab
• bump
• stroke
• bust
• slog
• wallop
• rough
• pepper
• maul
• pummel
• hang one on
• pelt
• bung
• lash
• mangle
• knee
• beat
• cuff
• butt
• slash
• batter
• cane
• stamp
• dump
• buffet
• fell
• lambast
• spear
• cream
• lace
• deck
• lambaste
• drub
• whip
• scuff
• prod
• bean
• pommel
• jostle
• conk
• club
• floor
• brain
• flail
• knock down
• bunt
• switch
• sledge
• bowl (down or over)
• skull
• cudgel
• level
• sap
• flog
• thrash
• sucker punch
• sledgehammer
• rabbit-punch

bob

3 of 3

noun

Scottish

as in bouquet

a bunch of flowers

the lassie carried only a little bob on her wedding day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bouquet
• posy
• nosegay
• garland
• corsage
• lei
• arrangement
• boutonniere

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bob

Verb

Only two of the crewman were pulled into the other lifeboat that held Minch and his family, and the vessel bobbed in the darkness amid rough weather for 10 hours, experts said. —Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025

The bobbing light that turns orange, green, and blue, is said to be her lantern. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

Noun

Her feathery pixie cut was the momager’s signature style for years, with the occasional foray into other mom-friendly styles like a shaggy bob or bangs. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025

Jourdan Dunn made her claim for pixie cuts, while Uche Natori rebutted with a full-bodied bob, but both marked this season as the best time for short hair. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 24 Mar. 2025