as in folding
Related Words
Relevance
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
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 flopping
Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Cutting stems back by one-third their height will help plants resist flopping under the weight of the flowers.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2026
Both teams … the Heat and the Wizards … conspired with their flopping and intentional fouling to get him to 83.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Shawkat, with her warm, amused eyes and her mop of curls, is a perfect carrier for Mae’s air of abjection, flopping around her bed like a horny, gloomy Raggedy Ann.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
That value proposition falls the longer it’s been since a movie’s release date, particularly if the film ends up flopping in theaters.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Watching Jalen Brunson flopping the other night and watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander begging for calls like a Premier League player was like watching a championship fight.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
So, is California’s unemployment market slogging along or flopping into a quagmire of job cuts?
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
There was indeed something charming about these explosive Muppet looks, but is the woman who can afford Bottega Veneta really flopping around Art Basel, dinner parties and business meetings in such enormous clothes?
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Girlfriend scales the diaristic, bric-a-brac charm of Janky Star into a high-drama pop monument to trying, flopping, and trying even harder next time.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
Cutting stems back by one-third their height will help plants resist flopping under the weight of the flowers.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2026
Both teams … the Heat and the Wizards … conspired with their flopping and intentional fouling to get him to 83.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Shawkat, with her warm, amused eyes and her mop of curls, is a perfect carrier for Mae’s air of abjection, flopping around her bed like a horny, gloomy Raggedy Ann.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
That value proposition falls the longer it’s been since a movie’s release date, particularly if the film ends up flopping in theaters.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Watching Jalen Brunson flopping the other night and watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander begging for calls like a Premier League player was like watching a championship fight.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
So, is California’s unemployment market slogging along or flopping into a quagmire of job cuts?
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
There was indeed something charming about these explosive Muppet looks, but is the woman who can afford Bottega Veneta really flopping around Art Basel, dinner parties and business meetings in such enormous clothes?
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flopping
Adjective
-
The three units feature the same folding action and design, but certain specs vary.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Malott’s grandfather had always kept a beat-up old oak bi-folding table behind the counter.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The design is meant to be sleeker than just plopping in the lighting.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But few are as rage-inducing as plopping into a gaping pothole.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The team had the best record in the major leagues as recently as June 13 of last season before collapsing and missing the postseason — a collapse that still stings for fans.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The beach patrol headquarters is in danger of collapsing and will be demolished this weekend.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yes, literally like a bird flapping its wings.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Large, thoughtful pockets stay accessible without flapping, and adjusters at the waist and cuffs help keep comfortability, even at mid-hike.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Mar. 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
-
Cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and blistered in some spots, but still crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Cook, tossing often, until celery is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Be missing for weeks, nobody can find them.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Raynaud has started 48 games with Domantas Sabonis missing most of the season due to injuries.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
October marks the start of butterfly season, with vibrant swarms fluttering well into the green season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The sudden movement sends the birds fluttering away from you, to watch and wait.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flopping. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
