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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
In the years since his last special, Von has exploded in fame.
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
The Tigers pitchers, started by a relay of Casey Mize, Troy Melton and Kyle Finnegan, didn't allow a single Guardians batter into scoring position until the eighth inning, when Cleveland exploded for five runs.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
In the time since, the craze has exploded.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
The Tigers pitchers, started by a relay of Casey Mize, Troy Melton and Kyle Finnegan, didn't allow a single Guardians batter into scoring position until the eighth inning, when Cleveland exploded for five runs.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
In the time since, the craze has exploded.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 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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Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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During its first flyby of Saturn’s moon Enceladus in 2005, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft captured dramatic water ice plumes erupting into space from the moon’s south pole.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
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The leaves on the park’s deciduous trees erupt into every shade of deep scarlet, fiery orange, and golden yellow—and visitors have front-row seats to see it all.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 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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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
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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
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Grealish, no longer prone, headed, just like Moyes, to the South Stand and appeared to blow a kiss to adoring fans.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Apparently, Grier forgot his own words, because the lines that the Dolphins have built are collectively their worst this decade, something evident in a crushing 27-24 loss to Carolina, a game in which Miami blew a 17-0 lead.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although a formal vote was not taken, there was consensus among the city council members on Monday night to demolish the old City Hall and to preserve the old fire station, Leawood spokesperson Beth Breitenstein said in an email.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Jokake Inn closed in the late 1970s and was demolished, except for its Pueblo revival-style belfry towers, which were incorporated into The Phoenician.—
Douglas C. Towne,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of the most famous bubbles that burst was the 2000 dotcom crash where the value of internet companies plummeted.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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Related Stories His latest is a blunt cinematic instrument — loud, loaded and bursting with carnage and ideological angst.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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