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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of pops
Anika Reed, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
As in other stores, the material mix features concrete, plaster and steel, offering a neutral backdrop for the luxury and exotic goods, with pops of red, snakeskin and leopard.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
The cream cheese cut through the salt, and the veggies added small pops of crunch and freshness.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Pomegranate seeds add pops of tartness to this sautéed corn and crunchy cuke combo.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
The tortoiseshell buttons add a little luxury, and the rich green shade pops against all the neutrals in a fall wardrobe.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2025
The piercing pops from the firearm were replaced by a different kind of cacophony.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Europe’s Stoxx Aerospace and Defense index pops.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Peas lend pops of green and sweetness, along with tender carrots and celery.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Doing it manually means tracking down dozens (sometimes hundreds) of data broker websites and sending formal removal requests and repeating the process every few months as your info pops back up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Kirsh sets the tone for the brainier side of this episode via two of this episode’s punchier scenes — ones where the dialectic dialogue really pops.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Its 65-inch QLED panel is bright enough to cut through all that glare, and its HDR brings extra color and contrast so everything pops even in daylight.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The first one that pops up is Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty).
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Where the movie really pops is with the bright and fun production design of this wild environment by Zazu Myers, and the sparkling colorful cinematography of Ruairi O’Brien.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Powder rooms are playful surprises, featuring kaleidoscopic wallpaper and scalloped marble vanities—a motif that pops up throughout the house.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Black-and-white stripes of all orientations and sizes packed a subtle preppy punch; giant sun hats were paired (expectedly) with breezy dresses and (unexpectedly) with sweater vests, ties and trousers; and bright pops of red infused the collection with intentional excitement.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
As in other stores, the material mix features concrete, plaster and steel, offering a neutral backdrop for the luxury and exotic goods, with pops of red, snakeskin and leopard.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
The cream cheese cut through the salt, and the veggies added small pops of crunch and freshness.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Pomegranate seeds add pops of tartness to this sautéed corn and crunchy cuke combo.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
The tortoiseshell buttons add a little luxury, and the rich green shade pops against all the neutrals in a fall wardrobe.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2025
The piercing pops from the firearm were replaced by a different kind of cacophony.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Europe’s Stoxx Aerospace and Defense index pops.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Peas lend pops of green and sweetness, along with tender carrots and celery.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Macaroni and cheese is Drew Barrymore’s favorite meal and pops up frequently on her talk show.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Doing it manually means tracking down dozens (sometimes hundreds) of data broker websites and sending formal removal requests and repeating the process every few months as your info pops back up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Kirsh sets the tone for the brainier side of this episode via two of this episode’s punchier scenes — ones where the dialectic dialogue really pops.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Its 65-inch QLED panel is bright enough to cut through all that glare, and its HDR brings extra color and contrast so everything pops even in daylight.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The first one that pops up is Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty).
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Where the movie really pops is with the bright and fun production design of this wild environment by Zazu Myers, and the sparkling colorful cinematography of Ruairi O’Brien.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Powder rooms are playful surprises, featuring kaleidoscopic wallpaper and scalloped marble vanities—a motif that pops up throughout the house.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, a dash of cranberry bitters snaps everything into focus, leaving a tart, ruby-toned finish that lingers just long enough to invite another sip.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The lens uses a high-response linear actuator (HLA) system that snaps focus from near to distant targets in an instant.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An officer then shoots Hill multiple times with a pepper gun and tells him to get on the ground.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Ben Simmons #25 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Intuit Dome on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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
-
The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In the United Kingdom, as fans wait for something new from the global pop star, one of her earlier career smashes returns to the top 40 and becomes a bestseller again.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Parsons attended Cowboys practices during training camp but has not participated in any team drills.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
After sitting out of Saturday’s team drills with arm soreness, Sanders was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the 11-on-11 portion, according to ESPN.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What happens if this group blows a few late leads early in this season?—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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