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
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Those inside the nearby ballroom could hear muffled pops.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Three quick pops rang out across the ballroom floor.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Then, don't forget to add pops of color in the form of pillows and throw blankets.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
And there is no trace of the Jacksons group member Randy Jackson, who is seemingly erased from existence in Michael, possibly due to his complicated, Jerry Springer relationship with the youngest Jackson brother and Jaafar’s pops and executive producer Jermaine Jackson.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The rooms The chic guest rooms and suites are designed around three separate color schemes—soft blue, spring green, and rich terracotta—eschewing bright pops of color for more muted tones.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Citizens are mainly present as eyewitnesses in crisis events, breaking news situations, or to represent the public opinion in vox pops.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Its four decks are decorated in sumptuous textiles, glistening marble, and deep colors accented with pops of gold—not to mention many replicas of Klimt’s work.
—Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Raw milk legislation pops up across the nation Bills favoring raw milk have been introduced in the current legislative session in 18 states, including those controlled by Democrats and Republicans.
—Laura Ungar, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
When Joseph pops his head into the studio, insisting, over Gordy’s objections, that Michael has taken up too much of his time, Michael hugs Gordy goodbye.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
The mailbox, which surprisingly pops up from a landscape of sugar-white sand and sea oats swaying in the wind, creates a scene straight from a movie.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Quick Access pops up a quick settings menu.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
The eastern red varietal, specifically, is red and yellow and pops well in meadows and rocky slopes.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026
But his effort consistently pops as a pass rusher, run defender and dropper.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 25 Apr. 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, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
For a quick and easy change, pick up this Kelly Clarkson area rug with pops of red, blue, and ivory to add color, or pick up this set of scalloped storage baskets that are functional and look great.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Those inside the nearby ballroom could hear muffled pops.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Three quick pops rang out across the ballroom floor.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Then, don't forget to add pops of color in the form of pillows and throw blankets.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
And there is no trace of the Jacksons group member Randy Jackson, who is seemingly erased from existence in Michael, possibly due to his complicated, Jerry Springer relationship with the youngest Jackson brother and Jaafar’s pops and executive producer Jermaine Jackson.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The rooms The chic guest rooms and suites are designed around three separate color schemes—soft blue, spring green, and rich terracotta—eschewing bright pops of color for more muted tones.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Citizens are mainly present as eyewitnesses in crisis events, breaking news situations, or to represent the public opinion in vox pops.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Its four decks are decorated in sumptuous textiles, glistening marble, and deep colors accented with pops of gold—not to mention many replicas of Klimt’s work.
—Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
What began as a one-off backyard show quickly evolved into a monthly live event series that pops up in local warehouses, art galleries and cocktail bars.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Raw milk legislation pops up across the nation Bills favoring raw milk have been introduced in the current legislative session in 18 states, including those controlled by Democrats and Republicans.
—Laura Ungar, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
When Joseph pops his head into the studio, insisting, over Gordy’s objections, that Michael has taken up too much of his time, Michael hugs Gordy goodbye.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
The mailbox, which surprisingly pops up from a landscape of sugar-white sand and sea oats swaying in the wind, creates a scene straight from a movie.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Quick Access pops up a quick settings menu.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
The eastern red varietal, specifically, is red and yellow and pops well in meadows and rocky slopes.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026
But his effort consistently pops as a pass rusher, run defender and dropper.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 25 Apr. 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, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Luckily, if that clip snaps off, a quick fix is to purchase an RJClip.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While the result snaps a five-game winning streak across all competitions, the Revs are unbeaten in six, have picked up back-to-back road results, and have the credibility of having taken Lionel Messi and the star-studded, defending MLS Cup champions to the brink.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the annals of English football, this shoots close to the top of the list of ridiculous moments, along with Troy Deeney’s mad goal for Watford in the Championship play-offs in 2013 and Sergio Aguero’s Premier League title-winning strike for Manchester City in 2012.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There, surrounded by plush bunny toys, pink lace curtains and a cross on the wall, Slayyyter shoots her dad.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the pass comes to Bridges, who detonates passersby at the basket regularly, White goes straight up, though with a little more oomph than usual.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The group is among the most successful access-broker operations, a class of hackers that smashes and grabs credentials from victims and then sells them to other hackers.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But Wark smashes a ball to left field for the Aggies to retake the lead, 7-5.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Embiid, a 7-foot-0, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon who won league MVP honors in 2023, participated in some of the Sixers’ drills just 15 days removed from emergency appendectomy surgery.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
-
For kids, there will be a mobile video game truck, skills and drills stations, inflatables, balloon and caricature artist and a face painter.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tell them when something blows you away.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Tell them when something blows your mind.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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