POPS Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

pops 1 of 3

noun (1)

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

The lineup is generally made up of Ikea’s signature neutral tones like pine, black, and white, and highlighted with pops of Xbox green. — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 This drab palette, however, is offset by bright pops of green through the glow-in-the-dark tendril overlays and the heel’s Adiprene and Torsion elements. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 When things get too absurd or heavy, a one liner pops in and Olesen knows how to do the set up, and then, the mic drop. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 Scattered colorful gems add pops of sparkle throughout, creating a lively finish that still lets the gradient peek through. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026 However, all are generously sized and sleek, with bright white bedding accented with pops of stately blue, silver and hot pink. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 Those post-prediction market ruling pops didn't hold up either. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026 Plus, introducing pops of contrasting color throughout the space makes everything feel more cohesive and less random. — Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2026 The apple pieces cook up nice and tender without becoming mushy, adding bright and tart pops of fresh fruit flavor throughout the scone. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

In Robin’s imagination, the moon grows large and then pops like a ballon, leaving Robin and readers alike in awe of the world’s small moments of magic. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Birdbuddy abandoned the long skinny Nature Cam for a circular camera that pops in magnetically. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026 Buen Provecho frequently pops up around town, including at Boggs Social & Supply in the West End. — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Harrison, who’s clutching a Sapporo, grabs his friend’s drink and neatly pops the top off using his own bottle. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 If a neighbor mix‑up pops up, write a short summary with next steps so everyone feels aligned. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026 Cheers when the bar pops another bottle of Champagne become a regular occurrence. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026 There’s animosity between the programs that dates back to Iowa declining to schedule Iowa State from 1935 until 1977, and every few years something pops up that gets under one another’s skin. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 When their family's love curse pops up again, the siblings work with their aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest) and Sally's kids (Joey King and Maisie Williams) to break it once and for all. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pops

Noun

The entire gymnasium roared with claps and cheers, the loudest and most fervent applause of the evening.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
The Golf Channel would always be playing in the background; the soft claps were the soundtrack to our slow Saturdays.

— Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of claps

Noun

One Swedish study showed that flexibility within paternal leave policies, such as allowing new dads to take intermittent time off after the birth of a child, helped reduce the incidence of maternal postpartum health complications.

— Megan Kuykendoll, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Seeing these two girl dads tear up about walking their babies down the aisle, the passage of time, and the inviolate personhood of their daughters was tender and precious.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dads

Verb

When the gang war that’s been building all along between the Greasers and the Socs finally explodes in the second act, the violence is conveyed through movement, lighting, sound and just all around scenic brilliance.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … ‘NEVER-ENDING’ — Huge number of noncitizens found on voter rolls as Mike Lee explodes on 'honor system'.

— , FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of explodes

Verb

Cassel snaps a picture before discovering that Dunham’s beloved Tiffany bean earrings are lost.

— Grace Byron, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026
Once a band that lived on the high-tension wire of music just about to burst, Hotel Usona finds Protomartyr exploring what happens once that wire snaps.

— David Harris, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of snaps

Verb

When a severe heatwave shatters her family’s fragile routine and exposes her father’s dementia, Anna’s world is thrown into uncertainty.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
After the cannon booms shatters these boxes, the ensemble tumbles together in a finale worthy of Tchaikovsky.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of shatters

Verb

To emphasize the ghoulishness, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki shoots the president and his advisors in unflattering low angles with a formaldehyde sheen.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
An hysterical soldier shoots him, Rennie is carried to Walter Reed Hospital.

— THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of shoots

Noun

Swift pulled her dark blonde hair back into an effortless updo, showing off a pair of gold earrings and her blunt bangs.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026
Even one of music's most forward-facing artists, Taylor Swift, has sported her perfectly coiffed blonde bangs and signature red lip throughout each era.

— Sadie Kargman, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of bangs

Noun

Other networks have been established for working fathers, LGBTQ+ employees, and early-career staff, which were established to give younger employees a greater say in their career development and opportunities to communicate with leadership.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Architect Addison Mizner, who gave Worth Avenue its shape and character, and Paris Singer, son of sewing-machine entrepreneur Isaac Merritt Singer, were the fathers of the avenue.

— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026