blew up

Definition of blew upnext
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 Even before social media blew up, Dessen was hesitant to date her books with references to phones or slang. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 7 May 2026 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, 1 May 2026 The fifth commission for the plinth on the High Line elevated park is an homage to the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the pair of 6th-century colossi in central Afghanistan that the Taliban blew up in 2001. Benjamin Sutton, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026 That story blew up the baseball world for a little while, with questions raised about your reputation as a teammate and clubhouse presence. Annie Heilbrunn, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 The short sentiment blew up in 2025 when West Ada School District leaders told a teacher to take down her sign emblazoned with those words, ahead of the Legislature’s passage of a bill barring religious, political and ideological flags or banners in public schools. Idaho Statesman, 23 Apr. 2026 He got separated, then un-separated, then his wife gave birth during a car crash, then his wife blew up. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026 Nine Vicious blew up for a reason. Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026 Less than two weeks later another X post blew up when Kadri followed actress Megan Fox. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
  • Those plans angered victims' families, and some prominent state officials called for regulators to deny or delay renewal of the camp's license, which had been under review by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
    Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Despite the apology, Camp Mystic’s plans to reopen in late May with nearly 900 girls have angered victims’ families, and state officials are questioning whether the license should be renewed.
    Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This was the reactor that exploded on April 26, 1986, and sent radioactive fallout across Europe.
    Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
  • Jafa exploded on the art world a decade ago, when Love Is the Message, the Message Is Death had a surprise debut at Art Basel in Switzerland, before becoming a sensation when Gavin Brown debuted it in New York ahead of the 2016 election.
    Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The public rarely hears about defense features until an incident happens, such as when bullets shattered glass in 2011 or a radar anomaly put authorities on alert in 2019, exposing a missile battery.
    Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
  • With Philadelphia applying pressure, Winn shattered Trea Turner’s bat to induce a 5-4-3 double play, recording the first two outs of the inning.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Wondering if the talk about using eggshells in your garden is all it's cracked up to be?
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP Portland police said in a statement Saturday night that during an ensuing search of the vehicle and building, investigators located several incendiary and improvised explosive devices, some of which had partially detonated.
    Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 3 May 2026
  • The posture changed dramatically in 1995 when Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb next to a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 167 people.
    Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Fresh off her time on the dance competition show, the mother of three made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, which smashed the musical's box office record with the highest weekly ticket sales in the show's 29-year history.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
  • During the June 2025 anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles, demonstrators smashed, spray-painted, and torched at least six Waymo robotaxis.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • This year, the event has already raised a record $42 million, the museum announced during a news conference this afternoon.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
  • The former couple announced their separation in August 2023.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • As of Sunday evening, traffic was snarled at Robertson Boulevard and Burton Way, which is on the border between Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles neighborhood of Beverly Grove.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
  • Speaking at a press conference Monday, Beere vowed to track down anyone who escaped officers during their sweeping takedown, which snarled traffic along the bridge.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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