Entry Word: explosion

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the act or an instance of exploding <the explosion of the first atomic bomb at Hiroshima>

Synonyms blast, bursting, detonation, eruption

Related Words discharge, firing, shooting; blowout, flare-up; bang, boom, pop

Antonyms implosion

2 a sudden intense expression of strong feeling <the explosion of patriotic feeling that the country experienced after that event> — see outburst 1
3 an outburst or display of excited anger <the tennis playerʼs expletive-enriched explosions on the court tested the patience of officials> — see tantrum