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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blew up
Instead, Tennessee's gamble blew up in its face.
—
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
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
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
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Her visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which its nearest neighbors see as an homage to Japan’s past wartime aggressions, have also angered both of those nations.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
One of the first things Kelly did was choose not to retain longtime strength coach Tommy Moffitt, which angered people around here at the time.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But then, in the second group phase — consisting of four groups of three, in the first 24-team World Cup — Italy exploded into life despite a very tough draw, defeating holders Argentina and favourites Brazil.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Eagles' passing offense exploded in Week 7 against Minnesota for a season-high 316 passing yards in the 28-22 win on the road.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
-
When an explosion rocked Humphreys and Hickman counties, killing 16 people at Accurate Energetic Systems, more than 24,000 pounds of explosives detonated.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The catastrophe at a Tennessee explosives plant started in a building that made devices used for mining and detonated more than 24,000 pounds of explosives, authorities said Friday.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wood obviously smashed it on opening weekend, scoring twice against Brentford, while Joao Pedro blanked, filling me with instant regret.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The thieves then smashed two display cases using the angle grinder and removed eight pieces of jewelry belonging to Emperor Napoleon and his wife, according to police.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canada on Saturday over a TV ad featuring footage of former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
More tenants could be announced at Everette Downs with a commercial building space and an outparcel still available, Robinson said.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Car buyers may face elevated prices and a shortage of some vehicles due to a supply chain snarled by tariffs and challenges accessing crucial materials, some industry experts told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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