1
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
the bomb was so powerful that it exploded windows in several neighboring buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
the mayor's latest unpopular decision caused long-suppressed resentment to explode into open anger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
The fusion of Latin music and Afrobeats has hit a new frequency recently, building on a yearslong overlap between the two genres that has now exploded into the mainstream.
—
Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
The same thing happened just a few years ago when the dark-liner-clear-gloss lip combo, a look that’s been worn for decades by the Black, Latine, and Afro-Latine communities, exploded in mainstream popularity.
—Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
Bowers exploded in 2024, putting together 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The guys exploded with laughter.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
The same thing happened just a few years ago when the dark-liner-clear-gloss lip combo, a look that’s been worn for decades by the Black, Latine, and Afro-Latine communities, exploded in mainstream popularity.
—Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
Bowers exploded in 2024, putting together 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
The guys exploded with laughter.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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The Soviet Union detonated its first device four years after Hiroshima.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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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
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Andy Pages, amid a miserable month, shattered his bat while hitting a ground ball back to the pitcher.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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Nowhere is this more urgent than in Gaza and Israel, where two years of devastation have left families shattered and entire communities on the brink, on both sides of the divide.—
Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Most of the crowd, which numbered around 25,000, was rooting for Argentina and erupted when Lo Celso’s shot hit the back of the net.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Panthers erupted for 62 unanswered points to cruise to a 62-17 win on Thursday at Newsom Stadium.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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The scouting concerns that followed Imanaga’s years in Nippon Professional Baseball have popped up again at the worst possible time.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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But then a ref blew the whistle as the buzzer sounded, giving Duke two meaningless free throws while up by four.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
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The two shared a playful moment, dancing together before Charli slipped her sunglasses onto Role Model’s face, blew him a kiss, and made her exit.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Neighbors for a Better San Diego, a group that represents mostly single-family homeowners and opposes nearby higher-density development, criticized the report for not tracking how many homes get demolished to make way for new projects.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
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The Premier League club had previously intended to demolish the Peter Taylor Stand — the oldest, and smallest, of the City Ground’s four — and replace it with an entirely new structure, increasing capacity from just over 30,000 to around 35,000.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That was the start of a three-TD fourth quarter for the Broncos, who burst ahead 41-17 after leading just 20-17.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
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Readers are always requesting more weeknight dinners that are easy to pull together and bursting with flavor.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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