1
as in exploding
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 snapping
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 shattering
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 shooting
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 popping
There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.
—
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
After popping up in Batman Forever (1995), Empire Records (1995), and The Insider (1999), Mazar found a semi-permanent home as Vincent Chase’s publicist on Entourage (2004–2011).
—Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
And at that time, the Black-Eyed Peas were popping back then, Gwen Stefani, Fergie had dropped her album.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Lots of planned and gated communities, such as Riverstone, are popping up, giving families safe and modern housing options, and there are great condos and apartments in Sugar Land Town Square.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
This summer, Tesla left Delaware and incorporated in Texas, where the company’s board promptly offered Musk the new, eye-popping pay package.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Demand for electricity has increased in recent years, partly because of all of the new data centers that are popping up to serve the artificial intelligence boom.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
From searing and sautéing on the stove to popping them right in the oven for easy roasting, stainless steel pans are versatile and super durable, too.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Franken-Candy Sundae – Creamy vanilla soft serve topped with Oreo cookie crumbles, purple candy syrup, and purple and green popping candy.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 2025
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
After popping up in Batman Forever (1995), Empire Records (1995), and The Insider (1999), Mazar found a semi-permanent home as Vincent Chase’s publicist on Entourage (2004–2011).
—Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
And at that time, the Black-Eyed Peas were popping back then, Gwen Stefani, Fergie had dropped her album.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Lots of planned and gated communities, such as Riverstone, are popping up, giving families safe and modern housing options, and there are great condos and apartments in Sugar Land Town Square.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
This summer, Tesla left Delaware and incorporated in Texas, where the company’s board promptly offered Musk the new, eye-popping pay package.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
Demand for electricity has increased in recent years, partly because of all of the new data centers that are popping up to serve the artificial intelligence boom.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
From searing and sautéing on the stove to popping them right in the oven for easy roasting, stainless steel pans are versatile and super durable, too.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Franken-Candy Sundae – Creamy vanilla soft serve topped with Oreo cookie crumbles, purple candy syrup, and purple and green popping candy.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popping
Verb
-
Down 13 in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Wade fueled an epic comeback win, exploding for 42 points and 13 rebounds, putting the team on his back.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Its schools are ranked among the best in Texas, and the job market is exploding, with jobs in information technology, finance, and healthcare on the rise.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Plus, there’s no need to call a handyman to set up your new furniture, as assembly is as simple as snapping the metal base onto the seat.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Of those who have announced, former Congresswoman Katie Porter had an early lead in polling, although under 20% support, but she was heavily damaged when videos surfaced of her harsh reaction to a reporter’s question and snapping at one of her staffers.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When a world-shattering event turns most of the global population into a friendly hive mind, Carol sets out to protect her individuality.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
-
But this average-looking citizen could become almost anything, throwing himself into roles with shattering power.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The next 77 minutes saw the Pride largely in control despite Seattle out-possessing and out-shooting them.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The assassin is found guilty of shooting Garfield and is sentenced to death.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Two Massachusetts men arrested in connection with an explosion Saturday at Harvard University are accused of detonating a firework inside a laboratory locker in a medical building, federal authorities said Tuesday.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Poseidon had been described as a doomsday weapon that is designed to create a massive radioactive tsunami by detonating near coastal targets.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police struggle to maintain order, their wooden sticks cracking against the pavement in a futile attempt to control the sheer mass of people.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
He's also seen 113 songs hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with 15 of them cracking the top 10.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Within a few years of leaving Texas, Rauschenberg had upended everything the place had meant to him, smashing through the parochialism of small-town Southern life, where necks were broken in Jesus’ name, and families indentured or murdered.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The role would typically involve smashing a bottle of champagne against the bow before sending the vessel out on its maiden voyage.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Peterson didn’t disappoint either, drilling a top-10 Louisville team for 26 points on 15 shots, including six 3s in only 25 minutes, before sitting out Kansas’ second preseason game against Fort Hays.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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The decision on whether to open up the Arctic to further drilling should have been made by the Indigenous people of Alaska, Shea said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Popping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popping. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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