blowup 1 of 2

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building blew up because of a gas leak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to smash
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 blowup
Noun
There were crash outs, blowups, fights over pancakes and some messy breakups. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025 While not immune to blowups, Peterson has been remarkably consistent, possibly the closest thing to a slump-proof starter the Mets have. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
At the same time, Netanyahu did — and still does — everything possible to weaken the Palestinian Authority, which cooperates every day with Israeli security services to keep the West Bank from blowing up. Thomas Friedman, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search, which is soon expanded with the aid of local neighbors and local law enforcement. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • The third victim was treated on scene by members of the Torrance Fire Department, according to Ahmad.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After its initial eruption, the crowd began to serenade him.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The recent eruption of speculative names reminds Cramer of the dotcom boom and bust 25 years ago.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While one of her first moves — pushing specialized teachers into vacant classroom teaching jobs — angered the teachers' union, the new bonus for retirees was an idea that came from the union president, Ingrid Walker-Henry.
    Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This move had angered India, which pointed to China not getting punished despite its role as an even bigger importer of Russian energy.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad were then called to the scene and were able to successfully locate and detonate the incendiary devices without any further incident.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Due to the nature of the explosion, recovery efforts have proven to be excruciating for victims’ families and investigators working to clear the area, potentially detonating and recovering any other explosives in the vicinity and using DNA to identify remains, officials have said.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That property happened to be a $60,000 Boston police cruiser equipped with computers and other technology that was smashed and torched.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Vultee aircraft completed a flight from Los Angeles to New York in 11 hours and 34 minutes and 16 seconds, smashing the existing record of 12 hours for that distance.
    Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But one real estate veteran says owning a home might not be all it’s cracked up to be right now.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The surprisingly funny duo kept social media fans cracking up, but after about a year, their relationship quietly ended.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Washington Post had reported that residents had grown accustomed to explosions from his stunts and videos and his larger-than-life presence.
    Chris Quintana, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
  • An Associated Press reporter in Chaman heard jets over Spin Boldak, a city in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, and saw smoke rising after an explosion.
    NPR, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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