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
The puck popped into the air, came down, caromed off Cooley’s back and in.
—
Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Shares of a couple other companies popped up when you guys didn’t get this deal.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
In such a more-is-more approach, classic crisp white shirts and those with big bows popped up as the essential pieces to have in the closet.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
His image popped up everywhere.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Dave — The fintech company’s shares popped 8% after Dave provided strong full-year guidance.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
The puck popped into the air, came down, caromed off Cooley’s back and in.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
The puck popped into the air, came down, caromed off Cooley's back and in.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Robbins tripled in the bottom half of the inning, but Carson Tinney popped up to end the frame.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Shares of a couple other companies popped up when you guys didn’t get this deal.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
In such a more-is-more approach, classic crisp white shirts and those with big bows popped up as the essential pieces to have in the closet.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
His image popped up everywhere.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Dave — The fintech company’s shares popped 8% after Dave provided strong full-year guidance.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
The puck popped into the air, came down, caromed off Cooley’s back and in.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
The puck popped into the air, came down, caromed off Cooley's back and in.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Robbins tripled in the bottom half of the inning, but Carson Tinney popped up to end the frame.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popped
Verb
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Michael Rapaport exploded on Porsha Williams and Johnny Weir during The Traitors season 4 reunion special.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Starship is still in the early stages of development and over the past year prototypes have exploded during brief, suborbital test flights.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gavin Brindley and Cale Makar both snapped goal-scoring droughts and the Avs grinded out a 3-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak overall and a three-game skid on the road with just their third win in the last eight — and also third in eight on the road against the Pacific Division this season.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The chain of events triggered by the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas shattered the image of Iran as an impenetrable and defiant regional power.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Then spring dreams are shattered.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Minutes later, Porter drilled a step-back jumper that gave the Nets their first lead of the afternoon.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Later in the half, reserve guard Noam Dovrat drilled 4 of 5 3-pointers and Miami's lead reached 27 points.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New Orleans center Karlo Matkovic tried to meet him at the rim, but was just a minor obstacle while Melton detonated at the rim with a powerful right-handed poster dunk reminiscent of his high-flyer days just a few years ago with the Memphis Grizzlies.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Putin said the 22-year-old attacker was recruited online and unknowingly given the explosive, which was detonated remotely, according to investigative officials.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those who were standing were sent somersaulting down the aisles; those sitting in the lavatories smashed into the ceiling.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
According to Curtis, the changes come after years of complaints about burgers being smashed and falling apart.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of making plans to see a friend, you can get plugged into five different conversations with your favorites all at once.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Wi-Fi consumes more power, so the Wi-Fi routers that connect devices to each other and the internet typically have to be plugged into an outlet.—
Shreyas Sen,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a sign that the dinosaur fossil market remains strong, a rare young dinosaur skeleton blew past its $4 million to $6 million Sotheby’s preauction estimate in July and ended up fetching more than $30 million in a bidding frenzy, including fees and costs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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During Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June last year, the US blew through about a quarter of its THAAD missile interceptors.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Popped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popped. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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