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
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
Tuli Tuipulotu, who had four sacks, blew up a third-and-goal from the 1 with a tackle for loss on a Dart rushing attempt.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Ring battles Ford and Chevy's battle at the 'ring blew up this summer, but both brands have tested there for years.
—ArsTechnica, 29 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
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
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
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
Tuli Tuipulotu, who had four sacks, blew up a third-and-goal from the 1 with a tackle for loss on a Dart rushing attempt.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Ring battles Ford and Chevy's battle at the 'ring blew up this summer, but both brands have tested there for years.
—ArsTechnica, 29 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
-
Visits by previous prime ministers have angered neighboring countries and proven to be a flashpoint for Japan and China.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Comments the host made after the murder of right wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk angered MAGA supporters and saw the nation’s largest station group, Nexstar – which has its own mega merger up for review at the FCC – preempt the late night staple.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 44,655 fans, Toronto’s highest attendance of the year, exploded over and over.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The 2024 sixth-round pick out of Southeast Missouri State — yes, that is a real school that plays football — exploded in the first half for five receptions for 104 yards to help set up multiple Cowboys scores.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 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
-
Authorities determined the package was not explosive but detonated it out of an abundance of caution, a USU spokesperson told Newsweek in an email Tuesday evening.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Still, Nevo's mind often drifts to the moment in Gaza when Palestinian militants detonated explosives in a home, wounding him and killing two close friends in his army unit.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
-
At least four people were killed and eight injured when a gunman in a pickup truck smashed through the doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service attended by hundreds, opened fire and set the building ablaze.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That was just one of the findings of a new statewide health survey -- just the second in the country -- that was announced Thursday by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced next week, on Thursday, October 9.—
tumblr.com,
tumblr.com,
6 Oct. 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
Cite this Entry
“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share