Synonyms of popping

popping

verb

present participle of pop

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

• exploding
• detonating
• blowing
• bursting
• crumping
• going off
• smashing
• blowing up
• shattering
• firing
• splintering
• fragmenting
• mushrooming
• discharging
• burgeoning
• shooting
• ballooning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• imploding
• collapsing
• fizzling

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

• snapping
• cracking
• exploding
• bursting
• crackling
• splitting
• shattering
• clicking
• hissing
• clattering
• sputtering
• rending
• sizzling
• riving
• clacking

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

• shattering
• smashing
• demolishing
• blowing
• bursting
• exploding
• destroying
• blasting
• detonating
• blowing up
• wrecking
• ruining
• decimating
• dynamiting
• annihilating
• splintering
• discharging
• fragmenting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapsing
• imploding

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

• shooting
• drilling
• plugging
• dropping
• gunning
• killing
• destroying
• slaughtering
• slaying
• blazing
• bringing down
• peppering
• picking off
• blowing away
• firing (at)
• blasting (at)
• shooting down
• sniping (at)
• massacring
• butchering
• dispatching
• decimating
• wiping out
• shotgunning
• potshotting
• annihilating
• felling
• machine-gunning
• icing
• croaking
• blotting out
• doing in
• pistoling
• tommy-gunning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of popping

The large, scary-looking Joro spider that can make massive webs is popping up again in multiple states, but researchers say the invasive species is essentially harmless to humans. — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Soundstages have been popping up as well, from Taylor Sheridan’s SGS Studios in Fort Worth, the largest in the state, to The Chosen‘s film campus in Midlothian. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Craig Herr said Flock cameras are popping up like dandelions. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree Robotics saw its shares jump as much as 629% during its Wednesday market debut in Shanghai—an eye-popping rally that pushed 36-year-old chairman and CEO Wang Xingxing’s net worth to $16 billion. — Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The catcher doubled down the right-field line in the first inning, sliding into second and popping up to raise a heart sign above his head. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

With schedules posted everywhere and online, audiences can easily follow the fest’s headliners across town, popping in and out of gold-rush hangouts and gambling halls. — Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 19 Aug. 2026

The centers, used as high-program computing hubs as the use of artificial intelligence increases, are popping up across the nation and causing a stir. — Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

All of a sudden, the usual buffet of influencers popping up in my Instagram algorithm seemed immediately suspect, perhaps synthetic. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026