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
Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
The curation’s color palette also lent itself to ubiquitous fall hues, including cedar, blue quartz and chrysanthemum, which were enriched with pops of citrine, as per the brand’s collection description.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
This recipe is filled with smoky chicken, sweet pops of corn, and earthy beans.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
The neutral tones pair well with pops of color, and the seating is large enough for a fun accent pillow.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2025
The décor was primarily black and white, with pops of green.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Most of the trees in the valley are evergreen, but there are pops of color from the Pacific dogwoods, black oaks, maples, and other varieties.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Even with the selling among the big-cap growth names, nearly as many stocks are up as down, the inverse of Monday's action when most stocks fell but pops in Nvidia and Apple pushed the S & P 500 to a half-percent gain.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Video of the shooting posted to Facebook appears to show a number of players and coaches warming up on the field as multiple loud pops are heard.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Nick Friedell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Harrison pops in and out of these different iterations of the characters seamlessly, dropping Midlands slang in his baby blue trackies one moment and then fiercely fighting back tears the next.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Who from Joan’s circle pops up onscreen?
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
That said, don’t assume that the pricing that pops up on Google is going to 100 percent accurately describe an item’s value.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Wearing this vest open offers a great little bump to the internal thermostat, while zipping it up all the way pops up the collar for extra warmth around your neck.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
The diversity of his downfield routes pops.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
So what happens if the bubble pops?
—ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
View gallery - 6 images The earliest evidence of the invention of the wheel pops up around 5,500 years ago in Uruk, ancient Mesopotamia, which has to go down as the most innovative society in human history.
—Loz Blain
september 23, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
The line is composed almost entirely of rich neutral hues of navy, gray, and cream with occasional pops of color that add interest without compromising elegance.
—Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
The curation’s color palette also lent itself to ubiquitous fall hues, including cedar, blue quartz and chrysanthemum, which were enriched with pops of citrine, as per the brand’s collection description.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
This recipe is filled with smoky chicken, sweet pops of corn, and earthy beans.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
The neutral tones pair well with pops of color, and the seating is large enough for a fun accent pillow.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2025
The décor was primarily black and white, with pops of green.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Most of the trees in the valley are evergreen, but there are pops of color from the Pacific dogwoods, black oaks, maples, and other varieties.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Even with the selling among the big-cap growth names, nearly as many stocks are up as down, the inverse of Monday's action when most stocks fell but pops in Nvidia and Apple pushed the S & P 500 to a half-percent gain.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Video of the shooting posted to Facebook appears to show a number of players and coaches warming up on the field as multiple loud pops are heard.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Will his focus remain the same when the first trade rumor pops up?
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Harrison pops in and out of these different iterations of the characters seamlessly, dropping Midlands slang in his baby blue trackies one moment and then fiercely fighting back tears the next.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Who from Joan’s circle pops up onscreen?
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
That said, don’t assume that the pricing that pops up on Google is going to 100 percent accurately describe an item’s value.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Wearing this vest open offers a great little bump to the internal thermostat, while zipping it up all the way pops up the collar for extra warmth around your neck.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
The diversity of his downfield routes pops.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
So what happens if the bubble pops?
—ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
View gallery - 6 images The earliest evidence of the invention of the wheel pops up around 5,500 years ago in Uruk, ancient Mesopotamia, which has to go down as the most innovative society in human history.
—Loz Blain
september 23, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Based on the book by Slow Horses scribe Mick Herron, in Down Cemetery Road, when a house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb and a girl disappears in the aftermath, neighbor Sarah Trafford (Wilson) becomes obsessed with finding her and enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson).—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Eventually, that moment comes when the artist explodes.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Knowles, an undrafted rookie, has appeared in the past two Chiefs games and has logged 21 special teams snaps.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The Patriots primarily stuck with Diggs, Hollins and Kayshon Boutte at wide receiver, reducing slot receiver DeMario Douglas’ snaps.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Continue reading … HEAT HISTORY – Padres flamethrower shatters MLB record with jaw-dropping pitch in playoff battle.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Gunfire shatters windows at The Grand The fatal shooting in August was the latest incident amid ongoing crime problems there, the lawsuit says.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 6-6 Tyson can handle the ball like a guard, shoots well enough to keep defenses honest and shows a plus IQ at both ends.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His approach requires long exposure times, so Lum usually shoots early in the morning before shops and restaurants open.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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
-
The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If New England drills the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel might not make it to Week 3.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Parsons attended Cowboys practices during training camp but has not participated in any team drills.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Vandy isn’t going to line up and trade blows with Alabama.—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Dallas Cowboys were part of an instant classic on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, trading blows all game before the matchup ultimately went into overtime and ended in a 40-40 tie.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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