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
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Recent Examples of blew up
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, 30 Jan. 2026
Kate initially split from Williams in November 2023 but the couple quietly got back together a few months later, after love triangle drama involving another influencer, Sophia LaCorte, blew up online.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Not mentioned during today’s 30-minute results call was the Murdoch family drama that blew up over the summer.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Between us and Nate and Greg’s talent, that blew up.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Kate initially split from Williams in November 2023 but the couple quietly got back together a few months later, after love triangle drama involving another influencer, Sophia LaCorte, blew up online.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Not mentioned during today’s 30-minute results call was the Murdoch family drama that blew up over the summer.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Between us and Nate and Greg’s talent, that blew up.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
-
The remark angered lawmakers on both sides of the aisle at the time, and it was quickly walked back.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Opposition to the war grew in Australia along with the Palestinian death toll, and last September the government angered Israeli leaders by supporting other like-minded Western nations, including Canada and the United Kingdom, by formally recognizing Palestinian statehood.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Though the popularity of Black hairstyles like braids has exploded over the past three decades, braids in all of their diverse presentations are more than a stylish hair trend.—
Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Zverev exploded in anger believing that Alcaraz was suffering only from cramp, and so should not have received a full timeout.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
She was shattered by thoughts of all the father-and-son moments Carlos and Alessandro had missed — things like girlfriend issues.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t forget Knueppel is already the fastest player to reach 100 made career 3-pointers, establishing the impressive mark 12 games quicker than Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, who held the record until Knueppel shattered it.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even professional designers have had to learn the hard way that some types of furniture pieces aren't all they're cracked up to be.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Leslie Jones once cracked up everyone at Saturday Night Live, including the top dog of the show.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
On Unknown Pleasures, the producer had taken Joy Division’s dense goth-punk sound into a frozen field and detonated it.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
-
More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pageau smashed home his second goal late in the third to finish off a listless Flyers team.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cook 3 garlic cloves, smashed, ⅓ cup mild honey, ⅓ cup white wine vinegar, 3 Tbsp.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was not completed and nothing had been announced by the team.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Pairings for all 49 groups and tee times will be announced on Tuesday.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Traffic was snarled for hours on westbound US 60 in Mesa after a semi-truck collided with several other vehicles in a crash that left motorists with only minor injuries.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The winter storm that snarled traffic, dumped nearly a foot of snow on Indianapolis and brought double-digit sub-zero temperatures is continuing to interfere with school days for some children.—
Jen Guadarrama,
IndyStar,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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