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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pops
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Instead of filling my suitcase with bulky sneakers, sky-high heels, and overly sporty athleisure, Sisto recommended chic staples like linen pants, comfortable sandals, breezy matching sets, and playful pops of color.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The guest bedroom reveals the power of a few coordinated pops of color.
—Laura Fenton, Midwest Living, 16 May 2026
Containers of blooming plants and greenery enhance the tropical feel with pops of pink.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Black dominates the spaces through paintwork and tiling, but fresh pops of white through the bed sheets and towels help lighten the tone.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
The story of the Streakers of 1974 pops up every now and then, usually around graduation time, often on Facebook.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Who knows what will happen if the AI bubble pops and the frictionless and ubiquitous access to LLMs withers into something much more limited.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Again, this is captured well, via supporters chatting in town during the week or in fan vox pops conducted straight after a match, when emotions are running at their highest.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Matt Thompson, SPIN, 11 May 2026
But don’t rule them out of buying more if there’s one that pops.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 May 2026
In the mix of the chaos, Beth and Rip’s adopted son Carter (Finn Little) pops up for a few seconds.
—Brayden Garcia
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
Plus Derry Girls’s Saoirse-Monica Jackson pops up as a raver with a flair for sedatives!
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 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, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Ayo Edebiri pops in a red coat for her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in New York City on April 28.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 1 May 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
Noun
Credit to the animation, though — bright pops of artistry that alternately evoke Steven Universe and Rick and Morty.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Instead of filling my suitcase with bulky sneakers, sky-high heels, and overly sporty athleisure, Sisto recommended chic staples like linen pants, comfortable sandals, breezy matching sets, and playful pops of color.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The guest bedroom reveals the power of a few coordinated pops of color.
—Laura Fenton, Midwest Living, 16 May 2026
Containers of blooming plants and greenery enhance the tropical feel with pops of pink.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Black dominates the spaces through paintwork and tiling, but fresh pops of white through the bed sheets and towels help lighten the tone.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
The story of the Streakers of 1974 pops up every now and then, usually around graduation time, often on Facebook.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Who knows what will happen if the AI bubble pops and the frictionless and ubiquitous access to LLMs withers into something much more limited.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Again, this is captured well, via supporters chatting in town during the week or in fan vox pops conducted straight after a match, when emotions are running at their highest.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
After Trevor strolls back to his muscle car and drives away, Easton pops up, curious as to who that was.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 11 May 2026
But don’t rule them out of buying more if there’s one that pops.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 May 2026
In the mix of the chaos, Beth and Rip’s adopted son Carter (Finn Little) pops up for a few seconds.
—Brayden Garcia
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
Plus Derry Girls’s Saoirse-Monica Jackson pops up as a raver with a flair for sedatives!
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 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, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Ayo Edebiri pops in a red coat for her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in New York City on April 28.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 1 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops
Noun
-
There was no standing ovation, only a few sporadic claps mixed in with folks cheering for Fitzpatrick.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
That’ll be the stormiest period of the weekend, with gusts up to 40 mph and potentially more claps of thunder.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The dads have learned this the hard way.—
Natalie Escobar,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
This Daisy ran away from her two dads, acquiring a rap sheet for petty theft along the way.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Every note just explodes off the instrument.—
Charlie Harding,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
After 10 years of dormancy, the desert explodes with color, attracting visitors and pollinators alike.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The loss snaps Boston’s three-game win streak and drops the club back into sole possession of last place.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
-
Aside from the mommy mode snaps, the model also shared photographs alongside her husband, with the pair all dressed up for a night out.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The other, from the southwest Khuzestan province, has a filling of dates, walnuts and coconut and pastry that shatters like a shell.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
That water is heated by magma below and shoots back upward, bringing with it precious minerals such as copper, zinc and gold, along with the iron and sulfur found in the snail’s shell.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
To accentuate her silver metallic gown, Twain rocked rocked full bangs teamed with long auburn tresses.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
The bangs and booms will echo longer and louder into the night at Washington’s official Fourth of July celebration this year if event planners can achieve their goal of presenting the world’s largest ever fireworks display.—
Joe Heim,
Washington Post,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In November 2025, the fathers told the court about their child’s birth and a day later, Uthmeier, the AG, began pushing his way into this case.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Softness and even open expression of feelings between fathers and sons are not part of the male Circassian factory model.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pops. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
