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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pops
Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
The rooms Hotel Thaynes has 128 guest rooms, including six king suites, each designed for simple mountain stays with subtle pops of colors.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
Those peppy pops of color nod to some of the property’s other fantastical details, like the life-size chess set found next to the hot tub out back.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Calling all Yuletide fans Conductor Jack Everly has brought his outgoing sense of humor to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's beloved Christmas tradition — and its film series and many of its pops concerts — for decades now.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 18 Mar. 2026
His visual storytelling is brisk and pops with joy.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Her makeup, which included tan eyeshadow, pops of rosy blush, and a glossy terracotta lip, complemented the colors of her gown's floral embroidery.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
The exterior of the building will be made of mostly stucco with pops of color including blue, green and grey, Schwartz said.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The natural blend between the cotton and linen fibers give it a classic feel, while the pops of florals throughout offer up a playful touch.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
Wrong answers raise their seat, right answers raise the seat of their opponent, and the loser pops a balloon of unspecified liquid pinned to the ceiling.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
If guilt pops up around spending, remember compassion guides wise choices.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
Here's how Jack Everly went from a shy kid to renowned Indianapolis pops conductor.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 18 Mar. 2026
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most famous architects of all time, and every so often, one of his homes pops up for sale.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
His work can be gritty, like an act of discovery, as his camera pops in and out of shadows, through desolate, post-apocalyptic shops and office buildings.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
His game is built on leverage and precision while his athleticism pops when he’s activated in space.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
But sometimes the circle is cleverly hidden, and sometimes the reason pi pops up is a mathematical mystery!
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
Others incorporated pops of purple, the symbolic color of BTS and their fanbase.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
The rooms Hotel Thaynes has 128 guest rooms, including six king suites, each designed for simple mountain stays with subtle pops of colors.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
Those peppy pops of color nod to some of the property’s other fantastical details, like the life-size chess set found next to the hot tub out back.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Calling all Yuletide fans Conductor Jack Everly has brought his outgoing sense of humor to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's beloved Christmas tradition — and its film series and many of its pops concerts — for decades now.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 18 Mar. 2026
His visual storytelling is brisk and pops with joy.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Her makeup, which included tan eyeshadow, pops of rosy blush, and a glossy terracotta lip, complemented the colors of her gown's floral embroidery.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
The exterior of the building will be made of mostly stucco with pops of color including blue, green and grey, Schwartz said.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
The natural blend between the cotton and linen fibers give it a classic feel, while the pops of florals throughout offer up a playful touch.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Should anyone ever find themselves in a real jam, like imprisonment by a vengeful pharaoh or life-threatening thirst, God pops by long enough to get the story back on track.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
Wrong answers raise their seat, right answers raise the seat of their opponent, and the loser pops a balloon of unspecified liquid pinned to the ceiling.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
If guilt pops up around spending, remember compassion guides wise choices.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
Here's how Jack Everly went from a shy kid to renowned Indianapolis pops conductor.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 18 Mar. 2026
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most famous architects of all time, and every so often, one of his homes pops up for sale.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2026
His work can be gritty, like an act of discovery, as his camera pops in and out of shadows, through desolate, post-apocalyptic shops and office buildings.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
His game is built on leverage and precision while his athleticism pops when he’s activated in space.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
But sometimes the circle is cleverly hidden, and sometimes the reason pi pops up is a mathematical mystery!
—Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Characters will die and the entire lab sometimes explodes, only for things to snap back to normal in the very next episode.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And every six weeks, my friend visits a professional who snaps on a pair of plastic gloves, mixes up a strong chemical concoction personalized especially for her, and spreads it all over her scalp.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Hampton played a career-high 65% of the Rams’ special-teams snaps last season, producing 10 tackles.—
Mike Kaye
March 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For example, people now take care to wear shoes at home in case an explosion shatters glass, or there’s a need to evacuate immediately.—
Jason Rezaian,
New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2026
-
At that moment, the mirror reflecting the entire contents of Frenza’s mind from the past few days shatters in a kaleidoscope of dreams.—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Barbra Banda #11 of Orlando Pride shoots against Kaleigh Kurtz #3 of Denver Summit FC during the NWSL match between Orlando Pride and Denver Summit FC at Inter&Co Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Florida.—
Kelly Werthmann,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In contrast, showrunner Steven Conrad shoots the wine-tasting bike trip like the second-act fall-deeper-in-love excursion in a rom-com.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Delivery robot smashes into glass of bus shelter in Old Town on Tuesday afternoon.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, Bridget has a bold take that smashes our assumptions about what science is supposed to look like to smithereens.—
Mariel Carr,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the wind blows, pollen from these catkins is carried through the air, hoping to reach female flowers on other oaks and ensure the next generation of trees.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The action Both teams traded blows early in the action, with the Cardinals jumping out to an early lead following a 10-0 spurt – familiar from last Saturday’s matchup.—
Hunter Bailey,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
