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
Relevance
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
Allen had an eye-popping 13 touchdown receptions last season at Cincinnati after playing two seasons at Louisiana Tech and one at Texas A&M.
—
Zac Jackson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
These eye-popping numbers did not escape county Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who in November led the way for passage of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
From grocery store shelves to restaurant menus, premium beef labels are popping up everywhere — but these labels don't always mean what shoppers think.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Even with the state process, rising energy demand and eye-popping electricity costs, no new large solar installation has yet been built in Milan Township.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
Hong heard about Trinket Trade boxes popping up in San Francisco and thought LA needed one too – a place for people to take or leave little treasures.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Even with eye-popping TV revenues, Division I universities struggle to stay in the black and are more likely to cut sports than add them.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 24 Apr. 2026
The reality docusoap genre is clearly popping again.
—Peter White, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
The Disney Scoop Guy posted a video to Instagram on Thursday, April 23 from the Anaheim theme park that shows an A-frame roof and vertical supports popping up above construction walls just east of Edelweiss Snacks.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Zac Jackson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
These eye-popping numbers did not escape county Third District Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who in November led the way for passage of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
From grocery store shelves to restaurant menus, premium beef labels are popping up everywhere — but these labels don't always mean what shoppers think.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Even with the state process, rising energy demand and eye-popping electricity costs, no new large solar installation has yet been built in Milan Township.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
Hong heard about Trinket Trade boxes popping up in San Francisco and thought LA needed one too – a place for people to take or leave little treasures.
—Laurie Perez, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Even with eye-popping TV revenues, Division I universities struggle to stay in the black and are more likely to cut sports than add them.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 24 Apr. 2026
The reality docusoap genre is clearly popping again.
—Peter White, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
The Disney Scoop Guy posted a video to Instagram on Thursday, April 23 from the Anaheim theme park that shows an A-frame roof and vertical supports popping up above construction walls just east of Edelweiss Snacks.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popping
Verb
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That is, until the union starts not-so-quietly exploding during a vicious screaming match at their home following a fundraising event.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
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When spring is in the air, there’s nothing quite like seeing a garden exploding in seasonal color.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite failing to complete the sweep, this marks the first time the Giants have taken a series against the Dodgers since June 2024, snapping a five-series losing streak.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Wallstedt polished off the first Stars' power play by snapping his glove around Mikko Rantanen's shot and smothering Esa Lindell's bad-angle attempt.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The following week at the San Jose Invitational, Wilkins broke his own world record on three consecutive throws, shattering the 70-meter and 230-feet barriers along the way.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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The actress said that one night, her daughter, Luca, 28, witnessed her shattering framed photos of herself and Abrams and then using the glass shards to self-harm.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rage and hyperpop savant Jane Remover doesn’t hide the hooks; the noise is a tool for opening a vein, the better to send a melody shooting straight into your bloodstream.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
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In the footage, which does not include any sound, the woman can be seen holding the gun and speaking before eventually shooting.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And some advanced mines have counters that will let a certain number of ships pass before detonating.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
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Named after the infamous Japanese suicide pilots of World War II, these kinds of drones can actively hunt for targets, track them, and then ram into them, detonating their explosive payloads.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From the buzz of the post position draw to the first look at the morning-line odds, Derby week always feels like the sport cracking open a fresh bottle of adrenaline.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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The teen was looking forward to his 17th birthday on July 1, his mom said, her voice cracking from a night of crying.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as anyone who’s dropped a mug knows, ceramics are also brittle and prone to smashing.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
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Police officers arrived at her Hollywood Hills home in Los Angeles and learned that the attackers had left the woman inside after allegedly smashing her jaw and choking her.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Since January 2025, engineers at L3Harris Technologies have been drilling, wiring, and reinforcing.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
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The company expects to be drilling holes for 10,000 houses annually by the end of the year.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Popping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popping. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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