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
as in snapped
to break suddenly with an explosive sound
the last strand popped, causing the chandelier to drop to the floor with a great crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
An iridescent, three-dimensional butterfly reminiscent of the singer's Lover era popped up as the centerpiece of the gift, and a card with the Grammy winner's full name was set below the sparkling figurine.
—
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Dawes popped late in the year when he was elevated to starter for his last two games, putting up 21 points and 15 rebounds in a Big 12 tourney loss to UCF and then 19 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to Butler in the Crown.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
But their newlywed bubble is quickly popped by Ana's former boss, Jack Hyde, who resurfaces as a full-on stalker.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Then, in January 2023, the name By the Teashore suddenly popped into her mind.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Just 47 seconds later, the Ducks popped in a second puck.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
The videos that initially skyrocketed her to MomTok fame were of her and her kids having dance parties on her kitchen countertop—a motif that popped up in her and her pro partner Jan Ravnik’s episode 2 quickstep.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Sep. 2025
Make-ahead dishes, things that can be popped in the oven and come out ready to serve, and one-pot recipes are your best friend.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
The actor popped by Fort Sauvage, an immersive pop-up of the men’s scent open until Sunday at Somerset House.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Dawes popped late in the year when he was elevated to starter for his last two games, putting up 21 points and 15 rebounds in a Big 12 tourney loss to UCF and then 19 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to Butler in the Crown.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
But their newlywed bubble is quickly popped by Ana's former boss, Jack Hyde, who resurfaces as a full-on stalker.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Then, in January 2023, the name By the Teashore suddenly popped into her mind.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Just 47 seconds later, the Ducks popped in a second puck.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
The videos that initially skyrocketed her to MomTok fame were of her and her kids having dance parties on her kitchen countertop—a motif that popped up in her and her pro partner Jan Ravnik’s episode 2 quickstep.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Sep. 2025
Make-ahead dishes, things that can be popped in the oven and come out ready to serve, and one-pot recipes are your best friend.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
The actor popped by Fort Sauvage, an immersive pop-up of the men’s scent open until Sunday at Somerset House.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popped
Verb
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The 44,655 fans, Toronto’s highest attendance of the year, exploded over and over.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The 2024 sixth-round pick out of Southeast Missouri State — yes, that is a real school that plays football — exploded in the first half for five receptions for 104 yards to help set up multiple Cowboys scores.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Diners enjoyed autumn chicory salad and seared filet mignon in the soft glow of the lights illuminating the temple’s Aeolian sandstone walls and snapped wrist shots against the backdrop of the reflecting pool, meant to evoke the West Bank of the Nile.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
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What isn’t as easy to see, though, is that for all the hair-on-fire play once the ball is snapped, Hufanga is exactly the opposite between plays.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It was discovered in 1986 and first drilled in the 1990s.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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After junior Zander Govostes drilled a 22-yard field goal to push Xaverian’s lead to 10-0 later in the frame, Springfield Central (2-1) answered.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Authorities determined the package was not explosive but detonated it out of an abundance of caution, a USU spokesperson told Newsweek in an email Tuesday evening.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Still, Nevo's mind often drifts to the moment in Gaza when Palestinian militants detonated explosives in a home, wounding him and killing two close friends in his army unit.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
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At least four people were killed and eight injured when a gunman in a pickup truck smashed through the doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service attended by hundreds, opened fire and set the building ablaze.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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They’re plugged into networks that carry influence and can accelerate advancement in business and career.—
Sarah Maokosy,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
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My wheelchair had no battery power and was plugged into its bulky wall charger.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Apparently, Grier forgot his own words, because the lines that the Dolphins have built are collectively their worst this decade, something evident in a crushing 27-24 loss to Carolina, a game in which Miami blew a 17-0 lead.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
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Whalen described one recent encounter where a homeless person blew fentanyl smoke in his face.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Popped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popped. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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