as in claps
a loud explosive sound
the soda can opened with a sharp pop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in dads
a male human parent
ask your pop if he knows where the keys to the shed are
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
a balloon popped suddenly and startled us all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in shatters
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 shoots
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.
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Recent Examples of pops
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Chairs upholstered in Mexican blankets and vibrant throw pillows add pops of color.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, principal guest conductor of pops, led the orchestra's performance.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 17 Jan. 2026
This manicure radiates positive energy with a mix of tortoiseshell print, blooming gel flowers, and pops of funky blue airbrushing.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
The driver then heard loud pops, according to the warrant, and the man ran off behind some nearby houses.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
The common spaces, meanwhile, draw on a more tropical color palette, with pops of blue, green, pink, and gold.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
Citrus Wreaths Create cheerful wreaths that lean on in-season oranges and lemons for pops of color.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Her nails were painted a bright orange, and her makeup featured vibrant pops of pink and orange.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Riza Cruz, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2026
Rue is now in Mexico and still in debt to Laurie (Martha Kelly), who pops up to remind her of that open tab after all the drug drama in season 2.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
The issue for the Yankees is what happens if another injury pops up in spring training?
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Usually, when a musician pops up on Jeopardy!
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
The same story pops up over and over again when automation occurs.
—Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Up pops a site that looks official.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Outside the innovation narrative and its promises that pops from time to time, a further and aggressive adoption is unlikely.
—Javier Bastardo, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
On Thursday evenings, the SLO farmers market pops up along Higuera Street, and perusing the 100-plus stalls here is a great way to experience the wealth of this agricultural region and feel like a local.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
Complementing the cozy layering pieces is a warm color palette of neutrals and earth tones like chocolate brown, olive, camel and gray, punctuated with pops of bright pink, burgundy, green and blue.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Chairs upholstered in Mexican blankets and vibrant throw pillows add pops of color.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, principal guest conductor of pops, led the orchestra's performance.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 17 Jan. 2026
This manicure radiates positive energy with a mix of tortoiseshell print, blooming gel flowers, and pops of funky blue airbrushing.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
The driver then heard loud pops, according to the warrant, and the man ran off behind some nearby houses.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
The common spaces, meanwhile, draw on a more tropical color palette, with pops of blue, green, pink, and gold.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
Citrus Wreaths Create cheerful wreaths that lean on in-season oranges and lemons for pops of color.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Her nails were painted a bright orange, and her makeup featured vibrant pops of pink and orange.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The entire coastline pops up—as if out of nowhere.
—Riza Cruz, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2026
Rue is now in Mexico and still in debt to Laurie (Martha Kelly), who pops up to remind her of that open tab after all the drug drama in season 2.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
The issue for the Yankees is what happens if another injury pops up in spring training?
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Usually, when a musician pops up on Jeopardy!
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
The same story pops up over and over again when automation occurs.
—Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Up pops a site that looks official.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Outside the innovation narrative and its promises that pops from time to time, a further and aggressive adoption is unlikely.
—Javier Bastardo, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
On Thursday evenings, the SLO farmers market pops up along Higuera Street, and perusing the 100-plus stalls here is a great way to experience the wealth of this agricultural region and feel like a local.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Continue reading … INTERNAL STRIFE – CBS reporter explodes at top editor during heated meeting over long-delayed 'Inside CECOT' segment.—
,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
San Francisco Travel Association Color explodes across the walls of Clarion Alley—a narrow passage in the Mission District known for its ever-changing murals.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Director Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s film uses drone footage and re-enactments to tell the story of eight passengers dangling from a cable car over a ravine after a wire snaps.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Seahawks over the same time period have traveled less than 6,000 miles to play 4,411 player snaps across three games featuring 411 total plays.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Bradford pear shatters easily at the trunk due to the branch angles, Zampini says.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The expansion Raptors shoots 0-for-3 from the foul line.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The officer shoots a second time.—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If the spud bar smashes through, a person could too.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Ben smashes chests and heads in, tears jaws out, rips faces off, and director Johannes Roberts makes sure to include brief close-ups of the carnage, lit just dimly enough to avoid truly grossing us out.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.—
Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
-
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Weather forecast Baltimore After a brief break in the intense cold across Maryland through early Friday afternoon, bitterly cold air blows back into the Mid-Atlantic late Friday afternoon and evening.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Before the new Falcons head coach blows the whistle for the first time, there are already expectations for next season.—
Rod Beard,
AJC.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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