as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
the hair stylist started by lopping off several inches from her long tresses, before beginning to shape what was left
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lopping (off)
Verb
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There have been scores of game-fixing and point-shaving scandals, notably involving the 1950 NCAA champion City College of New York, the 1978–79 Boston College men’s basketball team, and, in the 2000s, Arizona State men’s basketball.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026 -
Very often, the home seller and listing agent will ask for a very short timeline, removing the financing contingency (the full loan approval), shaving 10 days from the process with a closing in 21 days.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 76ers got small cushions, with the Celtics cutting it to a point three additional times.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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School systems typically cope with declining enrollment by closing schools and cutting staff, among other options.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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New York Times Companies are cutting back on employee business trips, but doing so many stunt workers’ careers.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Consider cutting back stems that cross or rub against one another.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tried to listen online while the neighbor made enough noise cutting and trimming his yard during the entire game.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Steve Anderson was trimming a tree near a power line with his 17-year-old son on Saturday, April 18, when the accident occurred, according to Fox affiliate KOKI.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Vikki Papagno holds up a newspaper clipping from her scrapbook.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Shoppers also claim that the D-ring built into the rim of the bag is a useful feature for clipping keys onto so that they don’t get buried inside.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lopping (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lopping%20%28off%29. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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