pops 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of pop
as in claps
a loud explosive sound the soda can opened with a sharp pop

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pops

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of pop
as in dads
a male human parent ask your pop if he knows where the keys to the shed are

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pops

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of pop
1
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure a balloon popped suddenly and startled us all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in snaps
to break suddenly with an explosive sound the last strand popped, causing the chandelier to drop to the floor with a great crash

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3
as in shatters
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive popping popcorn over a campfire

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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

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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 pops
Noun
This chic all-inclusive resort made its debut in 2021, showing off pops of vibrant colors in the modern lobby and room designs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 Try wide-leg palazzo pants paired with a scoop-neck tank, punctuated by pops of gold via your belt and earrings. — Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 18 July 2026 Its palatial villas are decked out in pops of pastel, emerald marble showers, rose gold finishes and artful details that make this lavish outpost a cut above the rest. — Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 16 July 2026 Every supporting cast member pops, Zimmer’s score is ominously tense, and the action sequences are grounded and effective. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 The lot sizzles and pops in the butter, imbuing it with a depth of flavor not unlike the technique of making Indian tadka. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 July 2026 Blending fresh fruit into these pops adds a natural sweetness to this classic treat. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 Then hang your hat at Bowie House, Auberge Collection, where cowhides and leather sofas mingle with fine art and pops of color. — Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026 The actress stepped out at the Summer Solstice Party in London decked out in head-to-toe white — with a few pops of color to bring it all together. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Verb
That’s pretty much what happens when any bubble pops, as a Dutch tulip obsessive could have told you in 1637 or a bitcoin evangelist could have told you in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, or 2022. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 This one features a standard spring bar in the center that easily comes out and pops back in with a single hand. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026 Trader Joe’s pops this corn in a mixture of coconut and sunflower oil; coconut oil results in an airier and fluffier quality than popular alternatives like canola oil, while sunflower oil contributes an appealing crispiness. — Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 For whatever reason, the Sheldon Creed incident at Martinsville (in 2023) pops right into my head. — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 8 July 2026 The trail is beautiful year-round but really pops in the fall, when the aspen trees turn shades of yellow, orange, and red. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 What happens to the information after the physical thing pops? — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Local vintage shop Rewind Kingston pops up at Stateside to bring their event series, Unwind, to the festival. — Rs Editors, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026 Luckily, Minnie Mouse pops by to give a message to the girls. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
  1. claps
  2. dads
  3. explodes
  4. snaps
  5. shatters
  6. shoots
  7. bangs
  8. fathers
Noun
  • One of the moments in the musical that caused the most laughter and claps from the audience was the final song, which mocks the idea of using violence as a form of protest rather than joining a movement or focusing on policy.
    — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026
  • There were the polite claps after good attacks by the Swiss, sarcastic whistles by the Qatari fans after their team again failed to mount a threat.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Definition of claps
Noun
  • The additional sleep provided by the bassinet also is believed to reduce burnout and postpartum depression in working moms and dads.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • The camp is founded by a couple of local dads, Reece Meador and Cody Holt, and just celebrated its second year, according to KWTX-TV.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
Definition of dads
Verb
  • The risk still explodes when proper people and processes aren't in place to properly triage and patch real vulnerabilities that can affect your organization.
    — RJ Friedman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Instead, as Laura bugs her sister long enough about just forgiving her already, Mary explodes.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of explodes
Verb
  • Fiction also has the ability to show how language snaps under the weight of violence, how trauma ruptures the very meaning of words.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
  • David Beckham snaps a portrait at an event for his podcast EA SPORTS Presents Icons of Football in New York City.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of snaps
Verb
  • As Hogi pokes a hole in this plot and shatters the industrial love complex we’ve been sold song after song, movie after movie, the workplace version of this unhealthy relationship presents a familiar parallel.
    — Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • In Book 5, Poseidon sends a storm that shatters the boat that Odysseus was sailing in, alone.
    — Chris Moody, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of shatters
Verb
  • Alvarez is surrounded by opposition midfielders, but manages to mount a one-man attack into the penalty area before laying the ball off for Ademola Lookman, who shoots just wide.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Folarin Balogun of the United States shoots during the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between the USA and Belgium in Seattle, July 6, 2026.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of shoots
Noun
  • Most recently, the star showed off eyelash-grazing full front bangs with chest-length tresses while attending the Christian Dior Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show on January 26.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 12 July 2026
  • Emphasize your curls with a pixie cut with just enough layers and bangs to give shape.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 July 2026
Definition of bangs
Noun
  • Video shared by the nonprofit captures dozens of dads participating in library outings over the past year, with children laughing, dancing and gathering for storytime alongside their fathers.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Career penalties for fathers can be applied to hybrid work, where remote work arrangements are often associated with mothers and caring, with stigma leading to lower uptake.
    — Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of fathers

Browse Nearby Words

poppycock
pops
pops (in)
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Cite this Entry

“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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