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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Recent Examples of pops
Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
The common spaces, meanwhile, draw on a more tropical color palette, with pops of blue, green, pink, and gold.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
Citrus Wreaths Create cheerful wreaths that lean on in-season oranges and lemons for pops of color.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Her nails were painted a bright orange, and her makeup featured vibrant pops of pink and orange.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
With the majority of New Balance’s 1906L loafer releases thus far using neutral looks with limited pops of color, an upcoming release looks to liven up the model with a mix of shades.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
In other words, if the AI bubble pops, California could see a steep drop in tax revenue.
—Levi Sumagaysay, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney have been taking pops at each other.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The team of Kpetikou and Kone won with their red velvet eyeball cake pops.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
The issue for the Yankees is what happens if another injury pops up in spring training?
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Usually, when a musician pops up on Jeopardy!
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
The same story pops up over and over again when automation occurs.
—Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Up pops a site that looks official.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
On Thursday evenings, the SLO farmers market pops up along Higuera Street, and perusing the 100-plus stalls here is a great way to experience the wealth of this agricultural region and feel like a local.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
The interior is made with recycled materials that resist moisture and can be spot cleaned if a spill or scuff pops up.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
Christmas Day streams three and the extended 2-hour+ finale pops New Year’s Eve.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Noun
Here, a sliver of orangey-red pops against a cool-toned ruby hue.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
The common spaces, meanwhile, draw on a more tropical color palette, with pops of blue, green, pink, and gold.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2026
Citrus Wreaths Create cheerful wreaths that lean on in-season oranges and lemons for pops of color.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Her nails were painted a bright orange, and her makeup featured vibrant pops of pink and orange.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
With the majority of New Balance’s 1906L loafer releases thus far using neutral looks with limited pops of color, an upcoming release looks to liven up the model with a mix of shades.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
In other words, if the AI bubble pops, California could see a steep drop in tax revenue.
—Levi Sumagaysay, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Virgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney have been taking pops at each other.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The team of Kpetikou and Kone won with their red velvet eyeball cake pops.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
Rue is now in Mexico and still in debt to Laurie (Martha Kelly), who pops up to remind her of that open tab after all the drug drama in season 2.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
The issue for the Yankees is what happens if another injury pops up in spring training?
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Usually, when a musician pops up on Jeopardy!
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026
The same story pops up over and over again when automation occurs.
—Jeff Mayhugh, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
Up pops a site that looks official.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
On Thursday evenings, the SLO farmers market pops up along Higuera Street, and perusing the 100-plus stalls here is a great way to experience the wealth of this agricultural region and feel like a local.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
The interior is made with recycled materials that resist moisture and can be spot cleaned if a spill or scuff pops up.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
Christmas Day streams three and the extended 2-hour+ finale pops New Year’s Eve.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Security video footage posted to Barrera’s Facebook page shows someone igniting and stoking flames inside the car, then fleeing before the vehicle is engulfed and eventually explodes.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The episode ends abruptly after the building explodes — with everyone but Boden still inside.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then, just one day later, Kate Hudson shared some Instagram snaps, and there was another Fair Isle sweater on our feeds.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, all 52 of Eagles pass rusher Jaelan Phillips’ snaps — the 49ers considered trading for Phillips at midseason — came on the left side of the defense, which meant he was mostly matched against McKivitz.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … RISE UP – Catholic conference shatters attendance records as 26,000 young people flock to faith event.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The drop shatters a plate from Andrew's mother's irreplaceable collection of heirloom china and prompts Andrew to fire Enzo.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The expansion Raptors shoots 0-for-3 from the foul line.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The officer shoots a second time.—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
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
-
If the spud bar smashes through, a person could too.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Ben smashes chests and heads in, tears jaws out, rips faces off, and director Johannes Roberts makes sure to include brief close-ups of the carnage, lit just dimly enough to avoid truly grossing us out.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Celtics traded blows with one of the top teams in the NBA on Saturday night.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The teams traded blows throughout the second half with neither leading by more than four points.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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