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 appears to be a new beginning popping up for you this week, Cancer, especially in relation to your home, family or domestic life.
—
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Simply place an individual portion of meat and veggies onto a sheet, add your favorite herbs and spices, drizzle with oil or butter, and roll up the parchment paper into a little pouch before popping it into the oven to steam.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Urban responded playfully by dropping to the ground, raising his arm as the crowd erupted in laughter, before popping back up to continue the show.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2025
Fields is likely the best option available for New York at this point in time, but some ideas have started popping up for the Jets to replace him.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Don’t expect eye-popping stat lines from the young Spaniard, but Gonzalez, like Minott, can be an asset as a high-motor disruptor with a knack for dirty-work hustle plays.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
This fall, however, similar styles are only increasing in popularity, popping up all over street-style photos and being sold in many variations, from more traditional designs to athletic sneaker hybrids like the ones beloved by Bella Hadid.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2025
This word, fandom, then began popping up everywhere.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Silksong, for example, looks exceptional, with its colorful, painterly backdrops popping well against the screen, and Forza Horizon 5’s recreation of Mexico is breathtaking on the small screen.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Simply place an individual portion of meat and veggies onto a sheet, add your favorite herbs and spices, drizzle with oil or butter, and roll up the parchment paper into a little pouch before popping it into the oven to steam.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Urban responded playfully by dropping to the ground, raising his arm as the crowd erupted in laughter, before popping back up to continue the show.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2025
Fields is likely the best option available for New York at this point in time, but some ideas have started popping up for the Jets to replace him.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Don’t expect eye-popping stat lines from the young Spaniard, but Gonzalez, like Minott, can be an asset as a high-motor disruptor with a knack for dirty-work hustle plays.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
This fall, however, similar styles are only increasing in popularity, popping up all over street-style photos and being sold in many variations, from more traditional designs to athletic sneaker hybrids like the ones beloved by Bella Hadid.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2025
This word, fandom, then began popping up everywhere.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Silksong, for example, looks exceptional, with its colorful, painterly backdrops popping well against the screen, and Forza Horizon 5’s recreation of Mexico is breathtaking on the small screen.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popping
Verb
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And to be thrown into now this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
To be thrown into, now, this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Would deja vu strike with another one of Mater Dei’s longtime opponents snapping an extended losing streak against the Orange County powerhouse?—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
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With the play clock winding down, Mahomes caught the Raiders by surprise by snapping the ball and handing it off to running back Kareem Hunt, who plowed through defenders for a gain of 3 yards and a first down.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The first of the live-action adaptations arrived in November 2024, shattering box-office records.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 Oct. 2025
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The latter outlet, an NBC affiliate, reported that two bullets came through the window of his bedroom, shattering it in the process.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wembanyama added weight and has been bullying defenders in the paint during the preseason while shooting fewer treys.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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His timeless riffs and solos, the billowing smoke coming from his Les Paul, the rockets shooting from his headstock, his cool spacey onstage wobble and his unforgettable crazy laugh will be missed but will never be forgotten.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The case went cold for over two decades before Detective Tara Augustin and Detective Alyson Dupouy took a stab at cracking it.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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That was the first in a series of viral videos for the family, with Cruz also gaining popularity for cracking jokes on Instagram.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Thieves scaled the facade of the Parisian museum in broad daylight Sunday, using a ladder boosted by a mechanical boom truck and forcing a window open, smashing display cases inside, and making off with a handful of priceless jewels, PEOPLE previously reported.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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D’Angelo found power in this duality, smashing the barriers between the spiritual and the secular, as had so many Black music pioneers before him.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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The match ended after Rhodes was disqualified for drilling McIntyre with his championship.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Popping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popping. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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