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
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
Inside, the vibe oozes understated cool in neutral shades of cream made interesting by pops of color and quirky art—a gold toilet sculpture here, a squiggly wall there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 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
Quinoa and chickpeas add heft to this vegetarian dish, pita chips add necessary crunch, and Kalamata olives bring pops of savoriness.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Options range from classic black and croc-embossed styles to sumptuous suedes and pops of fresh color—cherry red, chartreuse, and powder blue, to be exact.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
The result is a soft, springy crumb with little pops of tropical brightness.
—Laura McLively, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
An image then pops up on the scoreboard rendering a final verdict.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 9, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
This team leans into the colors on its flag, with a bold typeface that pops.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
Currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, the device pops onto any film camera with a hot-shoe connection, allowing users to shoot both film and digital images simultaneously.
—Shirl Leigh
march 05, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2026
But when her childhood friend Pinky (Amanda Oruh) pops back into her life, Lady’s dormant emotions start to come to the surface.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
That's when a man pops his head out.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
This visual rewind pops up three to four times a year.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
Inside, the vibe oozes understated cool in neutral shades of cream made interesting by pops of color and quirky art—a gold toilet sculpture here, a squiggly wall there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 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
Quinoa and chickpeas add heft to this vegetarian dish, pita chips add necessary crunch, and Kalamata olives bring pops of savoriness.
—Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Options range from classic black and croc-embossed styles to sumptuous suedes and pops of fresh color—cherry red, chartreuse, and powder blue, to be exact.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
The result is a soft, springy crumb with little pops of tropical brightness.
—Laura McLively, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
In addition to the main cast of characters, the hilarious Annie Mumolo pops up as Walter’s droll and exasperated assistant, and Rory Scovel is the bumbling, small-town cop.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
An image then pops up on the scoreboard rendering a final verdict.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 9, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
This team leans into the colors on its flag, with a bold typeface that pops.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
Currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, the device pops onto any film camera with a hot-shoe connection, allowing users to shoot both film and digital images simultaneously.
—Shirl Leigh
march 05, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2026
But when her childhood friend Pinky (Amanda Oruh) pops back into her life, Lady’s dormant emotions start to come to the surface.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
That's when a man pops his head out.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
This visual rewind pops up three to four times a year.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
-
After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The win not only snaps a three-game losing streak but also strengthens UCF’s NCAA Tournament resume with Selection Sunday a few days away.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
-
So, is this finally the year that Nebraska — the only high-major program to have never won an NCAA Tournament game — snaps that infamous spell?—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Carney shoots the scene where Rick discovers this in an ingenious way.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Sterling shoots over 40% from range.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
9 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
-
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
-
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
If Ebikitie blows his market away, Dre'Mont Jones offers a perfect fallback option.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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