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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of popping
The video of the incident went viral online, popping up across different platforms and drawing varying reactions from different political spheres, garnering praise and criticism alike.
—
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Foodies can savor global flavors at spots like Ghee and the ultra-refined Ogawa, opt for a dose of Nikkei cuisine popping up around the city, or dig into the growing farm dinner scene at spots like Ford’s Farm.
—Carrie Honaker, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
MacKenzie Scott has made thousands of donations over the past few years, totaling an eye-popping $26 billion.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
That's why the gold-versus-dividend-stocks debate keeps popping up.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Visitors can browse tents of artists along Tavistock Lakes Boulevard, perhaps popping into an eatery for refreshments.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Countries may not have enough resources to put out all the fires popping up and help won't be as likely to come from neighbors busy with their own flames, according to the authors of a study in Wednesday's Science Advances.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
For nearly 50 years, Cort worked steadily in Hollywood, popping up in films by Robert Altman and Wes Anderson, as well as a variety of television shows.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
So Hernández’s eye-popping rise feels like a major ballot-changing moment.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Foodies can savor global flavors at spots like Ghee and the ultra-refined Ogawa, opt for a dose of Nikkei cuisine popping up around the city, or dig into the growing farm dinner scene at spots like Ford’s Farm.
—Carrie Honaker, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
MacKenzie Scott has made thousands of donations over the past few years, totaling an eye-popping $26 billion.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
That's why the gold-versus-dividend-stocks debate keeps popping up.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Visitors can browse tents of artists along Tavistock Lakes Boulevard, perhaps popping into an eatery for refreshments.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Countries may not have enough resources to put out all the fires popping up and help won't be as likely to come from neighbors busy with their own flames, according to the authors of a study in Wednesday's Science Advances.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
For nearly 50 years, Cort worked steadily in Hollywood, popping up in films by Robert Altman and Wes Anderson, as well as a variety of television shows.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
So Hernández’s eye-popping rise feels like a major ballot-changing moment.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popping
Verb
-
The creative industries there were exploding.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Ratner, of course, earned Hollywood over $2 billion with his blockbusters about gunfire and exploding cars.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This mirror works well on a gallery wall or for snapping outfit photos, proving that small upgrades can make a big difference.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Devine complied, readily snapping her fingers and strutting her stuff.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This happens when heavy rain or snowmelt raises the river level, shattering the existing ice cover.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Both shooting 30% from the field.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The 7-foot forward had 13 points and five blocks in a mere 14 minutes, shooting 3 of 3 behind the arc and 4 of 4 at the line.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque’s inner gate.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the end of a long day, taking inventory of the fridge, cracking a cookbook open, or running out to the grocery store in order to figure out a dinner plan can seem overwhelming.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This early moment in mid-February belongs to Benge, the 23-year-old hotshot prospect who has a chance at cracking the Mets’ roster.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Football in particular was hard to understand, with plays that last only seconds and the jarring violence of giant men smashing into each other.—
Erendira Rendon,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sunny Isles Beach sits on a sandy barrier island, and experts warn that drilling a foundation for a tall building could disturb the foundations of surrounding buildings.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Both lawsuits are seeking to stop drilling plans near the Teshekpuk Lake, which was previously protected under federal regulation.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Popping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popping. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
