blew up

past tense of blow up
1
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

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 blew up Roan’s career suddenly blew up in 2024. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025 Her TikTok about the purple toilet seat quickly blew up. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 The claim soon blew up to users, who claimed that the song was an anthem of the groypers. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2025 Some months later, the Russians blew up the dam, leaving this part of the city underwater for weeks. Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025 After backstopping the Montreal Canadiens’ most recent Stanley Cup win in 1993, a strained relationship with coach Mario Tremblay blew up in December 1995 when Tremblay left Roy in the net for nine Red Wings goals in an eventual 11-1 loss to Detroit. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025 Indeed, Ansari blew up his show’s winning formula and focused season three — filmed through 2020 and 2021, with COVID interruptions — on Waithe’s character and her breakup with her wife (Naomi Ackie). Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 Roberts was originally content with being an indie author, but readers’ love of the book blew up. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Accurso has become something of a quintessential figure in children's media since her YouTube videos blew up in 2020, partnering with Netflix for her television special inspired by her content and with Spin Master for a toy line in recent years. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
  • The kneeling had angered some in the FBI but was also understood as a possible de-escalation tactic during a period of protests.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Investors fear Milei will fail to secure enough congressional seats in October’s legislative election to deliver on his anti-austerity agenda, which has sparked economic growth and led to the first budget surplus in decades, though spending cuts have angered many.
    Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When Fitzpatrick missed his putt on 17 to put himself and DeChambeau on equal terms heading into the last hole, the place exploded.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
  • With its crisp bubbles and endless flavor options, the drink has exploded in popularity, crowding store shelves and trending across social media.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For DeCesare’s family, that minute — when a man walked into a restaurant with a handgun and decided to open fire — shattered them.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Next door, at Raxakoul Coffee & Cheese, a single jar of sundried tomatoes fell from a shelf and shattered.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Original castmembers Richard Kline and Priscilla Barnes also cracked up the crowd, reprising their roles as nurse Teri and lovable lech Larry.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, the redesign detonated a culture war.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The shell was safely detonated in the woods near a local compost area by the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad the day it was found, authorities said.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Glass and brick litter the sidewalk outside of a dentist office in northeast Kansas City after a pickup truck smashed into it early Wednesday morning.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Shane got on top of him and smashed his head on the floor, again and again, knocking Stefan unconscious.
    John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 6-2, 185-pound senior basketball standout from Atlanta’s Overtime Elite program announced his commitment to the Jayhawks on Sunday afternoon.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Gomez announced that she and Blanco were married through an Instagram post that featured a series of photos and clips from the nuptials.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The pandemic initially snarled supply chains as restaurants were shuttered and consumers suddenly had to prepare three meals at home each day.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
  • For years, airport satisfaction lagged as crowds grew and construction snarled terminals.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!