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
Thomas dove in and swam with Malibu, popping up simultaneously from the water and resting their extremities — his arms, her fins — on the edge of the pool.
—
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Watch parties of dubious legality for this weekend’s finale are popping up at bars around America, but think how much revenue could be captured if someone was able to charge us to watch this.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Her on-track earnings now sit at an eye-popping $1,442,604.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
All the while, much of the growth in the stock market is driven by tech and AI stocks, especially a massive nationwide investment in data centers, with many investors beginning to see signs of a bubble that may end up popping before any other shoes drop.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Inspired by the trend, the concept of Jellycat Diner began popping up in New York, Paris and London, where shop assistants doubled as chefs whipping up pretend desserts made by the plushies.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
Inside the vault, Dex is already not doing so well, with Brian popping in to taunt his brother for once again choosing the code over bonding with other serial killers.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Inevitably, pumpkin spice everything starts popping up and thoughts turn to getting cozy indoors, especially in comfy pajamas and loungewear.
—Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Although the episode didn't dive into any specifics about Travis popping the question — maybe next week?
—Bryan West, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Watch parties of dubious legality for this weekend’s finale are popping up at bars around America, but think how much revenue could be captured if someone was able to charge us to watch this.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Her on-track earnings now sit at an eye-popping $1,442,604.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
All the while, much of the growth in the stock market is driven by tech and AI stocks, especially a massive nationwide investment in data centers, with many investors beginning to see signs of a bubble that may end up popping before any other shoes drop.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Inspired by the trend, the concept of Jellycat Diner began popping up in New York, Paris and London, where shop assistants doubled as chefs whipping up pretend desserts made by the plushies.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
Inside the vault, Dex is already not doing so well, with Brian popping in to taunt his brother for once again choosing the code over bonding with other serial killers.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Inevitably, pumpkin spice everything starts popping up and thoughts turn to getting cozy indoors, especially in comfy pajamas and loungewear.
—Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Although the episode didn't dive into any specifics about Travis popping the question — maybe next week?
—Bryan West, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popping
Verb
-
The president’s post was accompanied by a black and white video apparently taken with night vision equipment of a fast boat traveling with a number of occupants before suddenly exploding and bursting into flames.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
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One group is connected to solar flares exploding from small regions of the sun, while the other population is connected to larger, more powerful outbursts of plasma called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Another shopper mentioned using one as a magnetic flashlight during car repairs, snapping to metal on the car’s chassis for hands-free illumination right where it’s needed.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
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Even animals in the Himalayas can be seen by the satellites that fly overhead, snapping color pictures.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the table fell behind Cenat, shattering into pieces, the streamer looked behind him, cut the music, and asked his friends to fess up.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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August made history on its own, but compared to the record-shattering extremes of 2023 and 2024, this year had fewer heat streaks.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But her athletic triumph was tragically dampened by years of abuse at the hands of her husband and coach Jim Martin, who in 2010 attempted to murder her, stabbing her many times, slicing the flesh off the bone from her leg, and shooting her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The fact that Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story is shooting in the neighborhood is dredging everything back up again.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
So, while teammates are cracking jokes at one another, Kelce and Mahomes know work needs to be done on Friday night to ensure a 1-0 start to the season against a formidable opponent.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Finally, place the eggs in an ice bath to completely cool before cracking, peeling and eating.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Police, a renowned English rock band, formed in 1977, looping together Sting, Copeland and Summers for an act that rode the new wave to smashing success through the late '70s and early '80s.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Even the squirles are smashing their bread extra hard.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Renewed federal support for drilling in the US, combined with languid global oil demand and increasing drilling by OPEC countries, has pushed oil prices to their lowest level since the pandemic.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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To fill out context, development costs in 2020 for drilling production and injection wells and production facilities lie in a range of $3 - $5 billion in GOA.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Popping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popping. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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