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

For views of boats bobbing in the Lake Superior harbor, head up to the roof deck. —Katherine Lagrave, AFAR Media, 10 Dec. 2024

In November, the World Meteorological Organization warned not only that 2024 is on track to be the hottest on record, but also that global temperature rise may bob above the 1.5°C threshold laid out in the Paris Agreement. —Justin Worland, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

Her clothing is all unmemorable shades of beige, gray, and cream, but her daintily white hair is cut into a bob that suggests a Tudor-era gable hood or a nun’s veil. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

The singer accessorized with sleek white sneakers and layered necklaces, wearing her dark tresses in a sleek bob. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 4 Dec. 2024