lobbing

USAGE SUMMARY

"lobbing" is a correct and widely used term in written English.
Generally, you can use it to refer to the action of throwing or propelling something at moderate speed with a long arching trajectory. For example, "The tennis player expertly lobbed the ball over the net."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arguably Le Pen senior has never seriously sought political power, but has been happy in his role as troublemaker-in-chief for the French republic, lobbing hand-grenades at will into the political arena.

The Guardian

Prepping the ground by lobbing in an insult (Downey Jr is told he's becoming a better man) may not have helped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like a schoolboy lobbing stinkbombs through an open window, Martin Amis has been holding forth on cohesion as we experience it, and getting quite a lot of stick for it.

The Guardian

To raise the temperature Mr Yanukovych provoked them with draconian laws, apparently copied from Russia's play-book, which criminalised everybody out demonstrating.On January 22nd protesters hungry for action and tired of empty talk from both the government and the opposition clashed with the police, lobbing Molotov cocktails.

The Economist

Apple has been lobbing lawsuits around in the smartphone arena as if armed with a trebuchet.

The Economist

By Israel's elections in January, Gazans could again be selling produce in the West Bank.After a week spent lobbing rockets, Hamas has switched quickly to negotiations and development.

The Economist

Iran has been lobbing missiles into President Hussein's home town of Takrit, and Iraq has been firing on Qom, the Iranian holy city associated with Ayatollah Khomeini.Iraq is presumably hoping that its intensification of the war will remind the great powers of the ceasefire plan laid down in last July's United Nations Security Council Resolution 598.

The Economist

Nor did it reinforce such warnings by lobbing missiles into the seas around Taiwan, as it did in 1996.

The Economist

His statement came as North Korea was lobbing artillery shells threateningly into the Yellow Sea.

The Economist

The real trouble started on September 29th, when angry Palestinians spilled out of Al Aqsa after Friday prayers, lobbing stones at every Jewish target they could see, including people praying at the Western Wall, in the plaza below Temple Mount.

The Economist

Poisoning snails with molluscicides, however, seems a little harsh, so many gardeners prefer to cordon plants with broken eggshells (which snails find hard to glide over) or drown them in beer traps (so at least they die happy).Perhaps the most enduring anti-snail strategy, however, is "lobbing them over the fence" into a neighbour's garden.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action involving an arched trajectory, use "lobbing" to accurately convey the motion, especially when moderate speed is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "lobbing" when describing actions that involve a forceful or direct throw. "Lobbing" implies a gentle, arcing trajectory, unlike "hurling" or "throwing" with force.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lobbing" is that of a present participle, often used to form continuous verb tenses (e.g., "They were lobbing rocks") or as a gerund (lobbing stones). Ludwig AI confirms its use and offers real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lobbing" functions as a present participle describing the act of throwing something with a high, arcing trajectory. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is a common term, predominantly found in news and media contexts to describe physical actions like throwing projectiles, but also used metaphorically, as in "lobbing verbal grenades". While grammatically sound and widely used, "lobbing" should not be confused with forceful throws like "hurling". Instead, alternatives such as "lofting", "tossing", or "pitching" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lofting

Specifically emphasizes the high arc of the throw, common in sports like golf.

tossing

Focuses on a light, casual throw, often with an upward motion.

hurling

Implies a forceful throw with considerable speed and power.

pitching

Suggests a more controlled and aimed throw, often in a sports context.

throwing

A general term for propelling something through the air, lacking the specific arc of "lobbing".

launching

Suggests a more formal or powerful release, often associated with projectiles or initiatives.

projecting

Implies directing something forward, often with a plan or purpose.

flipping

Refers to a quick, light toss, often with a rotating motion.

catapulting

Suggests a powerful, mechanical launch, often over a considerable distance.

slinging

Implies using a flexible instrument to throw with force.

FAQs

How is "lobbing" typically used in a sentence?

"Lobbing" is often used as a verb in the present participle form to describe the action of throwing something with a high, arcing trajectory. For example, "The protesters were "lobbing rocks" at the police."

What are some alternatives to using "lobbing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "tossing", "pitching", or "lofting". The best choice will depend on the force and intent of the throw.

Is "lobbing" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "lobbing" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing a specific type of throw or action. It's frequently used in news and media to describe events involving projectiles.

What's the difference between "lobbing" and "throwing"?

"Throwing" is a general term for propelling something through the air. "Lobbing", on the other hand, specifies a particular type of throw involving a high, arcing trajectory. So, all instances of "lobbing" are instances of "throwing", but not vice versa.