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
Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
Color blocking or accent walls provide more dramatic pops of color.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
My first night is spent on the top floor of the historic main house in a double room, where cooling cream and butterscotch tones are set against pops of deep ocean blue in geometric patterns across plump pillows and beams—taller guests should choose their side of the bed accordingly.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Leopard and cheetah print fur in snoos, scarves and dramatic coats ruled the jungle of sleek neutral basics, leather pieces and pops of red.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
All the candidates have experience across numerous classic music eras and genres, from pops programs to new works and in some cases studio recordings.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
Colors were mostly muted browns, grays, black and ivory, along with pops of oxblood and red.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
The minimalist scenery allows Ben Stanton’s bold lighting design to create bright pops of color onstage.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Inside, the hotel favors sleek design elements like clean lines, pale woods, and pops of lush greenery to bring the outdoors in.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Alongside those pieces, the symphony will perform contemporary works, pops favorites and continue its film series.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026
The art pops against a backdrop of Hip Rose by Boråstapeter.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Stopping to sit on a wooden bench overlooking the water, Mary Oliver once again pops into mind.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Just walking the sidewalk at Madison Children's Museum is full of surprises—artwork pops up spontaneously through the windows for a one-of-a-kind experience every time.
—Elena Donovan Mauer, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Shatner pops up in a sports bar and a living room, calmly delivering bathroom-adjacent puns while everyone around him looks stunned.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Just say whatever the first thing is that pops into your head.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Eileen Gu is not your typical winter sports athlete who pops up on your radar every four years.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Keep scrolling to see every design, from pistachio and rose polka dots to unexpected pops of scarlet.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
Color blocking or accent walls provide more dramatic pops of color.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
My first night is spent on the top floor of the historic main house in a double room, where cooling cream and butterscotch tones are set against pops of deep ocean blue in geometric patterns across plump pillows and beams—taller guests should choose their side of the bed accordingly.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Leopard and cheetah print fur in snoos, scarves and dramatic coats ruled the jungle of sleek neutral basics, leather pieces and pops of red.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
All the candidates have experience across numerous classic music eras and genres, from pops programs to new works and in some cases studio recordings.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
Colors were mostly muted browns, grays, black and ivory, along with pops of oxblood and red.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
The minimalist scenery allows Ben Stanton’s bold lighting design to create bright pops of color onstage.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Inside, the hotel favors sleek design elements like clean lines, pale woods, and pops of lush greenery to bring the outdoors in.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Howard Webb co-hosts a show analysing controversial decisions, and Mike Dean pops up on Sky Sports’ matchday coverage to give his analysis of incidents in real time.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Alongside those pieces, the symphony will perform contemporary works, pops favorites and continue its film series.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026
The art pops against a backdrop of Hip Rose by Boråstapeter.
—Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Stopping to sit on a wooden bench overlooking the water, Mary Oliver once again pops into mind.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Just walking the sidewalk at Madison Children's Museum is full of surprises—artwork pops up spontaneously through the windows for a one-of-a-kind experience every time.
—Elena Donovan Mauer, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
Shatner pops up in a sports bar and a living room, calmly delivering bathroom-adjacent puns while everyone around him looks stunned.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Just say whatever the first thing is that pops into your head.
—Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Eileen Gu is not your typical winter sports athlete who pops up on your radar every four years.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Peter ultimately takes down his foe and escapes the van just in time before the truck explodes underwater.—
Ashley Boucher,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The masked figure snaps a photo of the corpse before slipping out of the unit and pulling the fire alarm.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Finally, Philomac snaps under the pressure, and escapes from his father taking Kid and Max with him.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a possible murder shatters shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship, Imperfect Women kicks off into a high-octane thriller that is sure to keep us guessing until its final minute.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Imperfect Women, created for television by Annie Weisman and based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At times, his social role will overlap with that of other weight-room regulars, not least of which is the gym grandpa, who hangs around and shoots the breeze and doles out tips on how to lift.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea fatally shoots Mott to protect the first lady — unknown to her at the time, Mott was unarmed.—
Ashley Boucher,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Gemma then detonates the device.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sammie smashes Remmick over the head with his guitar before the vampire can sink his claws into him.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The bike then smashes into a metal barricade before coming to rest against a parked car.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Staff cleans up the sand that blows throughout the season to prevent winds from transferring it onto Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
There would be more victories and blows after Beijing.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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