Synonyms of bobbing

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

• shaving
• cutting
• trimming
• clipping
• mowing
• snipping
• shearing
• nipping
• cropping
• paring
• docking
• pruning
• polling
• cutting back
• whittling
• lopping (off)
• pinching
• shortening
• manicuring
• curtailing
• stumping
• skiving

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extending
• lengthening
• elongating

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

• pumping
• shaking
• swaying
• jerking
• nodding
• wagging
• jogging
• ducking
• bobbling
• jouncing
• rocking
• seesawing
• wiggling
• swinging
• jiggling
• wobbling
• oscillating
• undulating
• dropping
• wabbling

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

• slapping
• smacking
• hitting
• banging
• knocking
• slamming
• punching
• clapping
• pounding
• whacking
• striking
• clipping
• swiping
• cracking
• batting
• kicking
• bopping
• thumping
• tapping
• poking
• nailing
• swatting
• flicking
• bashing
• jabbing
• pushing
• hammering
• shoving
• licking
• boxing
• thwacking
• chopping
• slugging
• rapping
• clocking
• stroking
• bumping
• zapping
• belting
• clobbering
• socking
• tagging
• bonking
• smiting
• stabbing
• clouting
• slogging
• pasting
• bludgeoning
• busting
• walloping
• whaling
• biffing
• battering
• beating
• pummeling
• peppering
• pelting
• buffeting
• pummelling
• hanging one on
• mangling
• lashing
• jostling
• cuffing
• mauling
• slashing
• whipping
• stamping
• butting
• dumping
• scuffing
• prodding
• spearing
• flailing
• roughing
• lambasting
• lacing
• bunging
• bunting
• pommelling
• kneeing
• drubbing
• pommeling
• creaming
• switching
• decking
• thrashing
• conking
• cudgelling
• cudgeling
• levelling
• bowling (down or over)
• sapping
• braining
• flogging
• felling
• knocking down
• clubbing
• caning
• skulling
• flooring
• sledging
• leveling
• sledgehammering
• sucker punching
• rabbit-punching
• beaning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bobbing

Verb

There was an apple-bobbing contest during the third. —Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025

These ten red clay courts nestled in Riverside Park are fairly idyllic with unusually handsome plantings, friendly volunteers, and sailboats bobbing on the water nearby. —David Shaftel, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2025

The dining room’s glass walls look onto sailboats bobbing in the marina as the sun sets over the Atlantic. —Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

The dad of two could be seen wearing a white T-shirt and a backwards white hat, bobbing his head as his daughter, who wore a black tube top and oversized biker jacket, moved back and forth. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025