as in bang
a loud explosive sound
the soda can opened with a sharp pop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in dad
a male human parent
ask your pop if he knows where the keys to the shed are
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
a balloon popped suddenly and startled us all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to smash
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
popping popcorn over a campfire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to shoot
to strike with a missile from a gun
went into the woods hoping to pop the rabbit that was eating our vegetables
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in fashionable
enjoying widespread favor or approval
interested in the pop fiction that most of the other publishing houses happily churned out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pop
Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 16 June 2026
Fans can watch to see where Spider-Man might pop up at live events and venues, in popular creator videos, and perhaps at a Samsung Experience Store.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 June 2026
Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Speaking of pop music, while the new ad format is expected to have its critics, there’s a far more insidious change afoot in that Green and Pleasant Land.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pop
Verb
And when the Gophers swept Boston College, Murphy popped the girls onto her shoulders and brought them into the locker room to dance with the team to the victory song.
—Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 16 June 2026
Fans can watch to see where Spider-Man might pop up at live events and venues, in popular creator videos, and perhaps at a Samsung Experience Store.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 June 2026
Adjective
Eilish saw a rise in the pop realm that took off from there.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Speaking of pop music, while the new ad format is expected to have its critics, there’s a far more insidious change afoot in that Green and Pleasant Land.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pop
Noun
-
Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
Police said a witness heard a loud bang come from inside a home, where Chicago Fire Department paramedics were already treating the victim for a gunshot wound to the armpit when police arrived.—
Dylan Olsen,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
While the Athletics hosted the Angels in Sacramento, their Single-A affiliate minor league team, Stockton Ports, hosted lots of dads who were excited to take their kids, young and grown, out to the ball game.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
-
The Cubs have two first-time dads, Swanson and pitcher Javier Assad, who are celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday with a deep appreciation of how fatherhood can affect their lives while navigating the challenges of being a big-leaguer.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Birding has exploded from a niche hobby into a mainstream pastime, driven by the pandemic outdoor-recreation boom and amplified by apps and social media.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
At-home microbiome tests have exploded in popularity, fueled by genuine curiosity about gut health and big promises about energy, mood and longevity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Fans wearing jerseys of all teams strolled through to take in the displays and snap selfies.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
With the score tied 5-all, Lowe squared up a slider from Elvis Alvarado (2-1) and drove it over the right-field wall for his 18th homer, snapping a 1-for-18 slump.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The suspect also allegedly attacked a car at a gas station, which was found with its windows smashed out and an axe inside, and he was seen pushing down shelves inside the station’s market, BBC News reported.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
The tension in these tracks are the binding agent for Jane’s fan base — the music is full of contradictions and incompatibilities smashing together that just feel like being young right now.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
As one deputy went to disable a camera near the door to O'Brien's unit, deputies heard a loud bang and saw debris go flying as O'Brien allegedly attempted to shoot them through the door.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Co-directed by the singer, the clip was artfully shot and empathetically told, and got fans sufficiently invested that Kiyoko eventually published a YA novel expanding the adventures of its young lovers, Coley and Sonya.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
This year’s Royal Ascot is officially underway in England, and the royal family's latest addition—Harriet Sperling—gave a fashionable nod to Kate Middleton with her light blue ensemble.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
16 June 2026
-
The costumes are more fantastical than grittily realistic as well, with a hip Steampunk vibe that’s more fashionable than purely Victorian.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Birding has exploded from a niche hobby into a mainstream pastime, driven by the pandemic outdoor-recreation boom and amplified by apps and social media.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
The framework expands on an initiative first launched in 2020 developed to address growing pressures on the nation’s supply chains, driven by an expanding economy, shifting urban-rural demographics and the rapid boom of e-commerce.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Pop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pop. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
