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
Tuli Tuipulotu, who had four sacks, blew up a third-and-goal from the 1 with a tackle for loss on a Dart rushing attempt. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Ring battles Ford and Chevy's battle at the 'ring blew up this summer, but both brands have tested there for years. ArsTechnica, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • The Hood County sheriff said that his department’s dive team was dispatched to the scene.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Photos from the scene showed a red helicopter on its side in the middle of the freeway as first responders tended to the injured.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • These spirals of solar wind can lead to large solar eruptions that can affect astronauts in orbit and key technological infrastructure on Earth.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The dazzling display is linked to two solar eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), that are now heading toward Earth.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And nothing angers the Survivor gods more than reality TV hubris.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Comments the host made after the murder of right wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk angered MAGA supporters and saw the nation’s largest station group, Nexstar – which has its own mega merger up for review at the FCC – preempt the late night staple.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Soviet Union detonated its first device four years after Hiroshima.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In her 2018 opening sermon as Bishop of London, Mullally told the congregation that 105 years ago, suffragettes tried to detonate a bomb under the seat on which she been enthroned moments earlier.
    Lauren Frayer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 28-year-old provided another example with his second goal of the game, beating Robin Koch and smashing Bayern’s third into the top corner, late in the second half.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to smashing the Machine, Swift also easily soared over Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed One Battle After Another, the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring drama that fell to second place in week two.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Growing up in showbiz isn't all it's cracked up to be, at least according to Shaun Cassidy.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 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
  • Florida, meanwhile, had an offensive explosion with 457 yards on a night when quarterback DJ Lagway and receiver Dallas Wilson — making his college debut after a foot injury sidelined the freshman prior to Saturday — showed off the upside the Gators have been waiting for.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Attack largest of war on Lviv, Governor says A Reuters correspondent heard explosions booming across the dark morning sky as air defenses engaged targets from several directions.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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