1
as in angered
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
When the story broke in the media a few weeks after production shut down, Ansari’s phone blew up.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
In 1983, a Hezbollah operative blew up 241 American soldiers and Marines in their barracks next to Beirut International Airport.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 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
Still, Sony might be feeling some serious FOMO after seeing just how much this film blew up.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025
In late August, Katrina blew up in the Gulf of Mexico, quickly reaching category 5 status with 175 mile-per-hour winds and pushing a massive storm surge.
—Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 24 Aug. 2025
Heikki Kovalainen of Finland and Caterham stands beside his car after its engine blew up in the tunnel during practice for the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit on May 24, 2012 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
In 1983, a Hezbollah operative blew up 241 American soldiers and Marines in their barracks next to Beirut International Airport.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 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
Still, Sony might be feeling some serious FOMO after seeing just how much this film blew up.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025
In late August, Katrina blew up in the Gulf of Mexico, quickly reaching category 5 status with 175 mile-per-hour winds and pushing a massive storm surge.
—Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 24 Aug. 2025
Heikki Kovalainen of Finland and Caterham stands beside his car after its engine blew up in the tunnel during practice for the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit on May 24, 2012 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
One of those blew up on its landing attempt while another was purposefully expended to get its payload to a higher orbital insertion.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
-
However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while corruption allegations against senior officials have dented his party’s odds ahead of next month’s vote, which could determine the future of Milei’s presidency.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Some of the most passionate television fans are those who watch Big Brother, and the latest game twist has angered them, creating a backlash on social media.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But his career really exploded a couple of years later, thanks to his starring role as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.—
Keith Langston,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Seguin shut out Burleson 21-0, and Martin’s offense exploded for 74 points in a victory over Mansfield.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Getty Images The nascent campaign has already shattered the record for philanthropic money raised in support of hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games.—
Blythe Lawrence,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
When your industry is being shattered by greed?—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Are wealth and success all they're cracked up to be?—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Israel’s concentration on destroying Gaza City’s infrastructure has utilized a variety of means, including heavy bombs and, recently, old armored vehicles laden with a large amount of explosives and detonated via remote control.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In September 2024, Israel blew up the group’s pagers, causing gruesome injuries as the devices detonated in Hezbollah operatives’ pockets.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After McNeil refused to get out of his car, Bowers smashed the driver’s side window, punched McNeil in the head and pulled him out of the SUV.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Protesters smashed windows and looted local businesses and set government buildings on fire.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The fine is the largest ever announced by the regulator against a single entity, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said.—
AFP,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
-
As his name was announced, the emotion from his family and friends spilled across the camera.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Christmas Eve travel was briefly snarled as the Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop for all American Airlines flights Tuesday.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC News,
25 Dec. 2024
-
Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare suffered a massive ransomware attack, which leaked info on over 100 million people and snarled healthcare for weeks despite a $22 million payment to the attackers.—
Wes Davis,
The Verge,
4 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share