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
Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Colors ranged from crisp refreshing all-white looks to summer black, to the new and welcome use of brown, earth tones and the exciting pops of vivid red and pink.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
The attire was denim jeans, and the menu featured hot dogs and cake pops.
—Beth Sobol, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Place the propagation jars around your home for small pops of natural color or keep the jars together to create a propagation station.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Tuck these small flowers along the edge of a path or even in the lawn for pops of color.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Matte and glassy surfaces and pops of colors that have a glowing effect add light to the overall dark and edgy story.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
The tradition muted palette gets a graphic update courtesy of pops of color informed by school pennants, an LV monogram tartan, as well as on theme embroideries and crests that extend to small accessories in the form of what are sure to be covetable caps, scarves, and ties.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Pomegranate seeds add pops of tartness to this sautéed corn and crunchy cuke combo.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Doing it manually means tracking down dozens (sometimes hundreds) of data broker websites and sending formal removal requests and repeating the process every few months as your info pops back up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Kirsh sets the tone for the brainier side of this episode via two of this episode’s punchier scenes — ones where the dialectic dialogue really pops.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Its 65-inch QLED panel is bright enough to cut through all that glare, and its HDR brings extra color and contrast so everything pops even in daylight.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The first one that pops up is Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty).
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Where the movie really pops is with the bright and fun production design of this wild environment by Zazu Myers, and the sparkling colorful cinematography of Ruairi O’Brien.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Powder rooms are playful surprises, featuring kaleidoscopic wallpaper and scalloped marble vanities—a motif that pops up throughout the house.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
The new collection focused on neutrals, with black, white and gray pieces in ruched and shimmering dresses of all lengths, plus pops of pale pink.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Colors ranged from crisp refreshing all-white looks to summer black, to the new and welcome use of brown, earth tones and the exciting pops of vivid red and pink.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
The attire was denim jeans, and the menu featured hot dogs and cake pops.
—Beth Sobol, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Place the propagation jars around your home for small pops of natural color or keep the jars together to create a propagation station.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Tuck these small flowers along the edge of a path or even in the lawn for pops of color.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Matte and glassy surfaces and pops of colors that have a glowing effect add light to the overall dark and edgy story.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
The tradition muted palette gets a graphic update courtesy of pops of color informed by school pennants, an LV monogram tartan, as well as on theme embroideries and crests that extend to small accessories in the form of what are sure to be covetable caps, scarves, and ties.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Pomegranate seeds add pops of tartness to this sautéed corn and crunchy cuke combo.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Macaroni and cheese is Drew Barrymore’s favorite meal and pops up frequently on her talk show.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Doing it manually means tracking down dozens (sometimes hundreds) of data broker websites and sending formal removal requests and repeating the process every few months as your info pops back up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Kirsh sets the tone for the brainier side of this episode via two of this episode’s punchier scenes — ones where the dialectic dialogue really pops.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Its 65-inch QLED panel is bright enough to cut through all that glare, and its HDR brings extra color and contrast so everything pops even in daylight.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
The first one that pops up is Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty).
—Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Where the movie really pops is with the bright and fun production design of this wild environment by Zazu Myers, and the sparkling colorful cinematography of Ruairi O’Brien.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
Powder rooms are playful surprises, featuring kaleidoscopic wallpaper and scalloped marble vanities—a motif that pops up throughout the house.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Verb
-
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, a dash of cranberry bitters snaps everything into focus, leaving a tart, ruby-toned finish that lingers just long enough to invite another sip.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The lens uses a high-response linear actuator (HLA) system that snaps focus from near to distant targets in an instant.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After a dramatic confrontation among all parties, Jonah stabs Henry in the chest and shoots him point-blank in the head.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Jonah grabs Henry's gun and shoots him coldly in the head.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 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 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
-
In the United Kingdom, as fans wait for something new from the global pop star, one of her earlier career smashes returns to the top 40 and becomes a bestseller again.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
9 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
-
The weather services said 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts are expected as a thunderstorm capable of damaging roofs, siding and trees blows through southeastern Davidson County, northwestern Rutherford County and northeastern Williamson County.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The technology blows my mind, considering SpaceX's direct-to-cell Starlink satellites are over 200 miles away, orbiting the giant mass of Earth, but still able to capture a tiny radio signal from my phone, through clouds.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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