POPS Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

pops 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of pops next

plural of pop

as in claps

a loud explosive sound the soda can opened with a sharp pop

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pops

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of pop

as in dads

a male human parent ask your pop if he knows where the keys to the shed are

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pops

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of pop

as in explodes

to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure a balloon popped suddenly and startled us all

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in snaps

to break suddenly with an explosive sound the last strand popped, causing the chandelier to drop to the floor with a great crash

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as in shatters

to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive popping popcorn over a campfire

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Noun

Black and white with pops of red, strips of leather, and club lights are abundant. —

Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026 The two collaborated to turn the classic 189-year-old structure into a sleek, functional space with pops of pizzazz throughout. —

Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026 This versatile dairy staple can bulk up a breakfast smoothie, anchor a marinade for lamb and other meats, form the base of classic dips like tzatziki, and transform ice pops into high-protein, healthy desserts—adding tang, tenderness, and creaminess along the way. —

Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Feb. 2026 There are more pops of color in their signage and marketing, a hip young staff, and some less traditional items in their mix. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026 Bonhams, the international auction house, managed to find such a spread in a 42,000-square-foot space that is knitted from the lower floors of an odd collection of prewar buildings and razed lots, with pops of old brick walls and limestone interrupting expanses of sheer, contemporary glass. —

Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026 Backed by an eight-piece string section, Jones, in a flowing white outfit with pops of red, blue and green ‒ inspired by Whitney Houston's 1991 Super Bowl look ‒ along with a white headband, closed her shaded eyes throughout the moving song. —

Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 Richardson, the son of former Warrior Jason Richardson, will look to have the same kind of success as his pops in the hallowed event as a rookie for the Magic. —

Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026 Many are coated in a vibrant pops of red or blue, while maintaining a lightweight, long-lasting construction. —

Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026

Verb

Now former Roots and Black Swan chef Charlie Smith heads up the kitchen, although Tommy often pops in for lunch. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026 Just walking the sidewalk at Madison Children's Museum is full of surprises—artwork pops up spontaneously through the windows for a one-of-a-kind experience every time. —

Elena Donovan Mauer, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026 Shatner pops up in a sports bar and a living room, calmly delivering bathroom-adjacent puns while everyone around him looks stunned. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Just say whatever the first thing is that pops into your head. —

Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026 Eileen Gu is not your typical winter sports athlete who pops up on your radar every four years. —

Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026 When most people think of California wine country, Napa likely pops to mind first. —

Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026 But Attia is also all over the Epstein files—his name pops up more than 1,700 times in the Justice Department’s latest batch of documents. —

Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026 If, for some reason, anything in relation to mental or physical health pops up, try to stay on top of it. —

Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops

Verb

After debuting with minimal fanfare in November 2025, the provocative Canadian drama about rival hockey players whose passion explodes into lust (and eventually love) became a word-of-mouth sensation.

— Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
The Grand Prix winner of last year’s Cannes Critics Week, filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s snaky, surprising fable starts with a sneeze and explodes into a saga about bureaucracy, modernization and moral corruption.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026