1
as in exploded
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
a balloon popped suddenly and startled us all
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in shattered
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 drilled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of popped
Turcotte found the puck and popped in his third goal of the season.
—
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
And in November, Puma shares popped up again, this time on rumblings that China’s sportswear firm Anta Sports could be eyeing the German athletic brand.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
Photos announcing the policy first popped up in an Orlando store in April 2024.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
The year before that, massive floating clown heads popped up in Downtown Crossing alleys, giving people a reason to look up from their phones.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
An image of the rolling sea of golden grain out the window of the carriage popped into her mind.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
The 2023 actors and writers strikes, the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires and an overall contraction in studio spending as the streaming bubble popped all worsened the problem.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
His recipe for beef bourguignon, which popped up on my screen a few days ago, is a great example.
—Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Murals depicting him mid-throw popped up in the city virtually overnight.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
And in November, Puma shares popped up again, this time on rumblings that China’s sportswear firm Anta Sports could be eyeing the German athletic brand.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
Photos announcing the policy first popped up in an Orlando store in April 2024.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
The year before that, massive floating clown heads popped up in Downtown Crossing alleys, giving people a reason to look up from their phones.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
An image of the rolling sea of golden grain out the window of the carriage popped into her mind.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
The 2023 actors and writers strikes, the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires and an overall contraction in studio spending as the streaming bubble popped all worsened the problem.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
His recipe for beef bourguignon, which popped up on my screen a few days ago, is a great example.
—Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Murals depicting him mid-throw popped up in the city virtually overnight.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popped
Verb
-
What’s interesting to me is, when One Direction started out, you guys exploded not only because of the music, but because of your personalities.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In 2005, gas cylinders exploded in the basement of an apartment building in Pakistan, causing the three-story structure to collapse.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high seven assists, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and the New York Knicks snapped their four-game losing streak with a 123-111 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high seven assists, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and the New York Knicks snapped their four-game losing streak with a 123-111 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So Skinny Pedro had experienced the pain of seeing his dream simultaneously realized and shattered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The windshield and windows of the truck appeared to be shattered, and shards of glass were seen on the street below the vehicle.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The final came Monday night, when the AFC North champions squandered some early momentum before getting drilled 30-6 by Houston, the most lopsided home playoff loss in team history.—
Will Graves,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
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Jennings made the throw while getting drilled by All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was flagged for roughing the passer.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The move detonated a war within the cartel that has left thousands dead or disappeared.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Once a year, in October, visitors can attend an open house at the Trinity Site—where the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945.—
Sharael Kolberg,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The engine compartment caught fire, so the agent smashed a window to help free her.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Windows smashed, citizens detained, citizens shot.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On top of that, Petek wrote that over the last four years the governor and Legislature had plugged $125 billion in budget holes largely without addressing the structural differences between spending and revenue which have led budget deficits to grow over time.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, authorities plugged a description of the Nissan into a system run by Flock Safety that can read license plates and identify other vehicle details, then match sightings of the same car, including with different tags.—
Michelle Krupa,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the curtain came down, Hilty waved and blew kisses to the crowd.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
LaFleur has one year remaining on his contract, and his job status came into question after the Packers blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead in Saturday night’s 31-27 playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Popped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popped. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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