1
as in angered
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exploded
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 shattered
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
as in cracked up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the advertisement blows the new soda up to the point where I half expected to be transported to a higher level of consciousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blew up
Originally free and meant for neighborhood children, the attraction blew up in popularity, so the family took it commercial in 2016, setting up in a shopping mall parking lot.
—
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Cellar’s statement came days after detransition activist Chloe Cole’s characterization of the story blew up online and attracted the attention of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
That blew up when Primeau was claimed by the Maple Leafs when the Hurricanes tried to assign him to AHL Chicago.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in the 1990s, the Norwegian 4x4 blew up recently thanks in part to Rhonda Patrick, PhD, a biochemist and the creator of the Found My Fitness podcast and newsletter.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 8 Oct. 2025
My group chats blew up when the news was official, because about an hour prior certain music news social media accounts did their best Woj impression and spoiled the announcement with some of us not yet ready to call it, even if betting markets had Bunny as the favorite.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
As that installment blew up in fall 2024, a new generation of viewers discovered the Menendezes’ story, including their claims that their parents, whom they were convicted of killing, had abused them.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 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
That 5-foot-8 stick of dynamite simultaneously blew up one of the NFL’s best special teams units and the Pats’ history books with a franchise record 167 punt return yards.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Cellar’s statement came days after detransition activist Chloe Cole’s characterization of the story blew up online and attracted the attention of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
That blew up when Primeau was claimed by the Maple Leafs when the Hurricanes tried to assign him to AHL Chicago.
—Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in the 1990s, the Norwegian 4x4 blew up recently thanks in part to Rhonda Patrick, PhD, a biochemist and the creator of the Found My Fitness podcast and newsletter.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 8 Oct. 2025
My group chats blew up when the news was official, because about an hour prior certain music news social media accounts did their best Woj impression and spoiled the announcement with some of us not yet ready to call it, even if betting markets had Bunny as the favorite.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
As that installment blew up in fall 2024, a new generation of viewers discovered the Menendezes’ story, including their claims that their parents, whom they were convicted of killing, had abused them.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 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
That 5-foot-8 stick of dynamite simultaneously blew up one of the NFL’s best special teams units and the Pats’ history books with a franchise record 167 punt return yards.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
-
Lorincz was frequently angered over local children (including Owens’) playing in a field close to her home.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Many protesters were especially angered by attacks on their motives.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the offense exploded, the team’s defense remained stingy.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Flashing lights and colors exploded across my view.—
Michelle Maves,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kathya still tears up talking about Katy’s ordeal, the slow road to recovery and how their lives were shattered that evening, a day that had begun with joy, a celebration with her best friends, many of whom grew up on the waterways in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
When a prosperous farming family was murdered in their own home in cold blood for no reason at all by two young male ex-cons, the image of a neat, safe, mid-20th century rural American life was shattered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One room cracked up at a vulgar joke about a woman’s behind, while another went for an outrageous and surreal midfilm montage — but each bit was made genuinely funnier by the dozens of people gasping and wheezing over it.—
Robert Rubsam,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 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
Verb
-
There may still be explosives that need to be detonated and recovered.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The Soviet Union detonated its first device four years after Hiroshima.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Windows were already beginning to glow with firelight when Balmer smashed another window and infiltrated the house.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
University of Colorado regent and board chair Callie Rennison will not seek re-election in 2026, her office announced Sunday evening.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
His ousting from the party was announced alongside that of fellow CMC member Miao Hua, who was removed from his military position in June, as well as seven other officers.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Air travel was snarled during the more than month-long government shutdown that ended in January 2019, hours after a shortfall of air traffic controllers disrupted flights in the New York area.—
Lillian Rizzo,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Duffy's threat came as flight delays, caused in large part by controllers calling out sick, has snarled air traffic across the country for four straight days.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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