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
Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Tiny flowers add pops of blue, violet, white, and pink that spill over retaining walls, containers, and borders.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
The cream color pops against faded black jeans, as in Hudson’s outfit, but it can also be paired with blue denim, skirts, or linen pants.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Trader Joe's recommends giving the pops a quick shake before freezing to help reduce any natural separation that may occur as the juices inside each pop settle, since they're made with real fruit juice concentrates.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 June 2026
One is Enrico Lopez-Yanez, Class of 2007, a pops conductor formerly with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra who now has stints with the Detroit, Dallas and Pacific symphonies.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Braids are the perfect time to play with pops of color.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 2 June 2026
Most overlook the gardens, but the biggest pops of color come from the original African accent fabrics on pillows and artwork on the walls or shelves.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
His 222 receiving yards from that afternoon are his career high, and that fourth quarter score gave MetLife Stadium one of its biggest pops.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Cassie Blake is Marianne Dashwood, a party-girl-slash-influencer in a crop-top and cargo pants who says whatever pops into her head and doesn’t mind being messy.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Occasionally, a bubble forms, then pops.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
The biggest and most famous is the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, which pops up around the historic landmark on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
The little wizard Orko pops up to explain that just having muscles doesn’t always win the day and the guy with the skull for a face is usually a bad guy.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 June 2026
This isn’t the Audi R8 comeback that pops up online as a rumor every six weeks.
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 4 June 2026
German is the most prevalent, but French is the default in the west of the country, Italian in the south (nearest to the borders of those countries), while Romansh is more obscure and pops up in a couple of cantons (states, or counties) towards the east.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Anna Faris pops in an electric blue dress during a visit to Despierta America in Doral, Florida, on May 28.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Noun
Jolie’s design-forward space has pops of pink and mint green, a wraparound bar, and an open kitchen where the four-course tasting menu is prepared.
—Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Tiny flowers add pops of blue, violet, white, and pink that spill over retaining walls, containers, and borders.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
The cream color pops against faded black jeans, as in Hudson’s outfit, but it can also be paired with blue denim, skirts, or linen pants.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Trader Joe's recommends giving the pops a quick shake before freezing to help reduce any natural separation that may occur as the juices inside each pop settle, since they're made with real fruit juice concentrates.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 June 2026
One is Enrico Lopez-Yanez, Class of 2007, a pops conductor formerly with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra who now has stints with the Detroit, Dallas and Pacific symphonies.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Braids are the perfect time to play with pops of color.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 2 June 2026
Most overlook the gardens, but the biggest pops of color come from the original African accent fabrics on pillows and artwork on the walls or shelves.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
His 222 receiving yards from that afternoon are his career high, and that fourth quarter score gave MetLife Stadium one of its biggest pops.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
The pit itself pops out easily with a finger poke and a gentle pull.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Cassie Blake is Marianne Dashwood, a party-girl-slash-influencer in a crop-top and cargo pants who says whatever pops into her head and doesn’t mind being messy.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Occasionally, a bubble forms, then pops.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
The biggest and most famous is the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, which pops up around the historic landmark on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
The little wizard Orko pops up to explain that just having muscles doesn’t always win the day and the guy with the skull for a face is usually a bad guy.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 June 2026
This isn’t the Audi R8 comeback that pops up online as a rumor every six weeks.
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 4 June 2026
German is the most prevalent, but French is the default in the west of the country, Italian in the south (nearest to the borders of those countries), while Romansh is more obscure and pops up in a couple of cantons (states, or counties) towards the east.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Anna Faris pops in an electric blue dress during a visit to Despierta America in Doral, Florida, on May 28.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Noun
-
Other players, especially the younger players and newcomers, did head over toward La Familia and give them waves and claps.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
There was no standing ovation, only a few sporadic claps mixed in with folks cheering for Fitzpatrick.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
While a small decline can be adaptive, dads face mental health risks when their testosterone drops too low.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
Chamelo Dusk Classic smart sunglasses These lightweight sunglasses are perfect for techie dads who love gadgets and gizmos.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Most newcomers fade out or establish only a small population, but every so often a species explodes on the scene and becomes problematic.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
9 June 2026
-
The roof of the central nave explodes with color, its gables decorated in vibrant ceramics.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
But now Spark snaps into focus.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Its 50-megapixel camera handles everyday snaps well, the battery lasts all day without begging for a charger, and the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage are enough to get started without stressing.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The two commit to a duel, each agreeing to fire their guns when a bottle of champagne rolls off the bar and shatters on the floor.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
This type of error creates friction and shatters trust.—
Jerry Haywood,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Knicks' Jalen Brunson, left, shoots the ball against the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026 in San Antonio.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Ultimately, Ali shoots and kills Alamo after his right-hand man, Bishop (Darrell Britt-Gibson), turns on him and secretly removes the bullets from Alamo’s gun.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Layton Williams Titanique's Layton Williams decided to get bangs—and then some—for the Tony Awards.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
8 June 2026
-
Hawn wore a black suit with colorful floral embellishments, along with her signature bangs.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Blair Miller and Johnathon Bobbitt-Miller, the adoptive fathers of Harmony's brother Jamison, shared a statement following the Supreme Court's decision.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
Children may not resemble either parent, leading to a parent being mistaken for a nanny (with mothers) or a mentor (with fathers) when in public.—
Geoffrey Greif,
Baltimore Sun,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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