POPPED Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

popped

verb

past tense of pop

as in exploded

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 snapped

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in shattered

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 drilled

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 popped Lobbying blitz on Capitol Hill A dizzying array of new lobbying groups have also popped up on both sides. — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 The offensive player who popped The Chiefs made a big splash atop their running-back depth chart in the offseason. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Mendoza threw high to Jalen Nailor on his second play, and the ball popped into the air into the hands of San Francisco linebacker Tatum Bethune for an interception. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 The enterprise software platform's stock popped 3%, heading for a second straight winning day. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Amid the heat wave, thousands of Southland residents were sporadically without power as outages popped up in different communities. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Josh Lowe reached on an infield single to begin the ninth and stole second base with one out, but Travis d’Arnaud struck out and Oswald Peraza popped up to end the game. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026 Bowry’s inconsistencies popped up for a second straight game, which should give Grable every opportunity to be the Bills’ primary reserve swing tackle to open the season. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Chen popped in a 30-foot 3-pointer with a minute remaining to give the Valkyries a three-point lead, and then kept the advantage at three with a slick layup over a contest after Chicago scored. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for popped

Verb

In Minneapolis—which had exploded into destructive mass protests following the murder of George Floyd by a police officer named Derek Chauvin in 2020—officials scrambled to prepare for a potentially similar response to Good’s killing.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The markets, including Kalshi and Polymarket, have exploded in popularity and permit users to bet on all manner of events, including sports, politics and geopolitical affairs.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of exploded

Verb

The perfect start was snapped by a 27-14 loss at Long Beach State — which counted as a conference game despite Long Beach competing in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026
Others snapped selfies holding physical copies of Hard Court and marveled at the chestnut burrs—that emulated the look of tennis balls—placed around the shop.

— Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of snapped

Verb

Adolf Hitler's army has been shattered, but thousands of Nazi fanatics are prepared to engage in an epic last stand.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
The case against the Tates That image of impunity shattered on July 18, when US Marshals arrested the brothers outside a bare-knuckle boxing match in Miami on an extradition request from British authorities.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of shattered

Verb

The missiles detonated above a sports complex and two residential neighborhoods, Airwars found.

— Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Trump in a Truth Social post said the United States' naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect and that mines in the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of detonated

Verb

Anne Shirley has smashed her slate over Gilbert Blythe’s head.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Archaeologists in Central Europe recently came across an unusual hoard of Bronze Age tools — including a sword that had been deliberately smashed with a powerful blow.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of smashed

Verb

Also mentioned around the time of the Remix reveal was an imminent update to the standalone base Polymega unit, which doesn’t need a PC t0 run and can be plugged directly into a TV or monitor via HDMI.

— Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
What a new staff means for Benton The previous coaching staff immediately plugged Benton in as a nose tackle in the base defense and was reluctant to move him.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of plugged

Verb

It’s been a decade since the company best known for sucking up hair balls and dust bunnies blew with great force into the beauty business.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Playing the American League’s best team, the Padres had the final two games of the series in hand before the practically impermeable back end of their bullpen blew late leads.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blew

Browse Nearby Words

pop off

popped

popped (in)

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Style

“Popped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popped. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of popped

verb

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