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
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
With the help of Louisville design firm Natalie O Design, Saba sprinkled pops of bold hues throughout her home.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
Material-wise, consider white or cream countertops, natural wood floors, and pops of green in the surrounding decor.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Mick Jagger pops up and lends a few thoughts.
—Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
This particular sheer pink comes off delicate and sweet, with a subtle, rosier finish that pops a bit more than Bubble Bath and Put It In Neutral.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Virginia is most certainly for (fall) lovers, and Shenandoah National Park pops with color each fall, drawing leaf peepers, campers, and rock climbers to explore the park.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Felicity Jones, meanwhile, pops up as the moon (and narrates).
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
In June, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festival takes over the town with a plethora of events at indoor and outdoor venues, before its sister festival, JAS Labor Day Experience, pops up with a more traditional main stage festival experience in the fall.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025
Every Labor Day weekend, a beach volleyball stadium pops up on Lake Michigan, just north of the Drake Hotel, and some of the world’s best players come to Chicago.
—Maggie Hendricks, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
So that’s the first person that pops into mind outside of somebody like Gunna.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
With the help of Louisville design firm Natalie O Design, Saba sprinkled pops of bold hues throughout her home.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
Material-wise, consider white or cream countertops, natural wood floors, and pops of green in the surrounding decor.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
Flare pops up as a soft white glow, and the lens also shows some purple and green ghosts, depending on the angle and intensity of the backlight.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Mick Jagger pops up and lends a few thoughts.
—Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
This particular sheer pink comes off delicate and sweet, with a subtle, rosier finish that pops a bit more than Bubble Bath and Put It In Neutral.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Virginia is most certainly for (fall) lovers, and Shenandoah National Park pops with color each fall, drawing leaf peepers, campers, and rock climbers to explore the park.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Felicity Jones, meanwhile, pops up as the moon (and narrates).
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
In June, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festival takes over the town with a plethora of events at indoor and outdoor venues, before its sister festival, JAS Labor Day Experience, pops up with a more traditional main stage festival experience in the fall.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025
Every Labor Day weekend, a beach volleyball stadium pops up on Lake Michigan, just north of the Drake Hotel, and some of the world’s best players come to Chicago.
—Maggie Hendricks, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
So that’s the first person that pops into mind outside of somebody like Gunna.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 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
-
With this humiliation, Joe snaps, and, in short order, commits several shocking acts of deadly violence.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Also at the Eojjeol Suga Eopda premiere in Venice, Park Chan-wook snaps photos of the photographers while on the carpet.—
Brendan Le,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Trump's action shatters this precedent, inviting chaos.—
Dan Irvine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a park about a 15-minute walk away where Espinoza shoots hoops.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
That said, because the Sasquatch shoots at a whopping 6 x 17 aspect ratio, a standard roll of 120 film – which would ordinarily be good for around a dozen exposures – will only get you four shots … so plan them carefully.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Toussaint is killed in the penultimate episode after Shagan detonates a bomb on Saskia’s computer.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At a single, two-minute dinner, Hermann Kafka smashes a cockroach while denigrating his son’s engagement to Felice Bauer before reiterating his distaste for Franz’s writing.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Excitement around the closing stretch is spilling onto the charts in the United Kingdom, as a wave of Coldplay smashes return and rise this frame.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
3 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
-
Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The mechanism blows inert gas across the fusion zone, preventing oxidation during the printing process.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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