as in folding
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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
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Recent Examples of flopping
Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Plant peonies in partial sun and stake them early to prevent flopping and extend bloom quality.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
Throughout the playoffs, his ability to draw fouls drew the ire of fans who accuse him of flopping.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Dick Fosbury flopping over the bar in the high jump.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
This freeloading fiend DiBenedetto had been flopping here since 2007.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Tomatoes flopping over or bending sideways?
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
Guy Ritchie’s In the Grey, an action thriller starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González, is new on digital streaming this week after flopping in theaters.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Within a year Arthur Q Smith earned himself a solo show, which, despite flopping, revealed an unmistakable gift for songwriting.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
Verb
Plus, the minuscule fines, when they are applied, aren't going to deter millionaires from flopping to get cheap free throws.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Plant peonies in partial sun and stake them early to prevent flopping and extend bloom quality.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
Throughout the playoffs, his ability to draw fouls drew the ire of fans who accuse him of flopping.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026
Dick Fosbury flopping over the bar in the high jump.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
This freeloading fiend DiBenedetto had been flopping here since 2007.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Tomatoes flopping over or bending sideways?
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
Guy Ritchie’s In the Grey, an action thriller starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González, is new on digital streaming this week after flopping in theaters.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Within a year Arthur Q Smith earned himself a solo show, which, despite flopping, revealed an unmistakable gift for songwriting.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flopping
Adjective
-
Complete your outdoor overhaul with more favorite patio furniture finds below, including a warm wooden deck box that doubles as a bench, a cocoon-like lounger that gently rocks, and a folding Adirondack chair that’s actually comfortable.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
-
Their laundry room was filled with bright colors and ample folding space.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The ball appeared to land on the boardwalk outside the stadium before plopping into McCovey Cove.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
-
The design is meant to be sleeker than just plopping in the lighting.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The finding lands in a labor market that has cooled without collapsing.—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
At one point, collapsing from sheer exhaustion.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The slot formerly occupied by a performance from the Commodores will now be filled with the sound of a lone Gadsden flag flapping on its pole.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
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The fathers, faces ruddy, prayed in Latin for her soul, black robes flapping in the wind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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Martín Pérez was on the mound for the home team, a soft-tossing veteran lefty who was pumping in 89-mph sinkers.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
20 June 2026
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During the opening match of the World Cup last week, some Mexico fans were seen tossing sombreros in delight as their team defeated the Republic of South Africa 2-0, but the hats might come in handy for the rest of the tournament.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Ohtani returned to the lineup for the Dodgers’ 7-1 win against the White Sox, after exiting the game Thursday at Pittsburgh and missing Friday‘s game because of inflammation in his left knee.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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Police responded to the theft on Friday night, and while footwear was among the items stolen, none of the missing equipment was considered essential for the team to play.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Roswell visitors spent the weekend surrounded by fluttering wings, native plants, and hands-on learning as the Chattahoochee Nature Center kicked off its annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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Video showed the Israeli flag fluttering from atop the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle while black smoke billowed from the nearby town of Arnoun.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flopping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flopping. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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