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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of bob

Verb

The flood submerged their street, transforming trees into islands and leaving cars bobbing in several feet of water. —Mackenzie Happe and Zoë Todd, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024

Orange life jackets bobbed in the water, where bystanders rushed to form a human chain for passing survivors to safety. —CBS News, 21 Oct. 2024

Noun

Paired with a maroon ensemble, Zendaya’s tonal brown bob pulled from deep red and rich medium brown for the signature fall look. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Oct. 2024

Kevin Winter/Getty Images At an event to celebrate the Rare Impact Fund, Selena Gomez showcased a brand new chop, which also falls into the midi bob category. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024