1
as in plopped
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
Relevance
2
as in collapsed
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 flapped
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 flopped
Early experiments, like the Humane AI pin, have flopped due to high prices and poor performance.
—
Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
The huge painting of the naked woman flopped on a couch?
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
That distinction has flip flopped a lot throughout my career.
—Outside Online, 31 Dec. 2025
Attempts to revolutionize the cinema experience through innovation have flopped.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
The film flopped upon release, but Linklater’s ability to capture the nostalgia and hopefulness of this particular life period earned Dazed and Confused the third slot on EW’s list of the 50 best high school movies.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
The Ang Lee efforts flopped mightily, the Hobbit epics were hits, and neither critics nor the public seemed to wholly embrace the newfangled technology.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Who better, then, to help revive Chess—a play that flopped in its 1988 Broadway debut—into a record breaker at the Imperial Theatre, in New York City, earning more than $2 million every week since opening last month.
—Air Mail, 13 Dec. 2025
Lawrence has been open in past interviews about needing to take a two year break from Hollywood after making 16 movies in six years, a string of which flopped at the box office and only inflamed the public’s negative reception of her.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flopped
Verb
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Yazid plopped him down, then put his hands in his lap, awaiting events.—
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Each of the seven sauces was plopped out of the can onto a plate so editors could taste them without seeing any of the packaging.—
Verb
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The sofa was so collapsed that getting up from it felt like core strength training.—
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And then on Thursday, after most of the show had been written, a man collapsed in the Oval Office, generating an instantly meme-able photograph of the president staring into the camera, looking oblivious to efforts to revive the prone victim at stage left.—
Verb
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Their wings, a bit weighted down by water, flapped as the float rolled.—
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Cute flapped cargo pockets on both legs that give them a sportier, slightly edgier vibe.—
Verb
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With a lightning-speed motion, Pedro tossed a cord around the foreman’s neck.—
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Someone else got that treasure but Keeney and his family went back for Game 7 and, at the end of batting practice, Brian Harper tossed Keeney his batting glove.—
Verb
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The French Revolution began in 1789, and tensions peaked with King Louis and Marie Antoinette’s failed escape attempt in 1791, which ultimately led to their execution in 1793.—
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The Brown University shooting should be a wakeup call to college trustees and administrators, especially now that the US Department of Education will send a team of investigators to determine whether Brown failed to provide proper security before and after the shooting.—
Verb
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The president’s guests — which included top members of his administration, MAGA allies and big-time political donors — noshed on hors d’oeuvres and downed exotic cocktails while jazz music blared and burlesque dancers fluttered their fans.—
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Union Jack bunting fluttered overhead.—
Verb
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As Nelson spoke, Rubio took the note back and folded it up before tucking it away.—
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Knitted garments are best stored folded to prevent stretching.—
Verb
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When one of Adam Burkhammer's foster children struggled with hyperactivity, the West Virginia legislator and his wife decided to alter their diet and remove any foods that contained synthetic dyes.—
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Gilgeous-Alexander -- one of only two players in the NBA averaging 30-plus points (with the Lakers’ Luka Doncic) -- struggled against the Heat’s swarming defense early, shooting 1 for 7 in a three-point first quarter and going to the half with 11.—
Cite this Entry
“Flopped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flopped. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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