blowup 1 of 2

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building blew up because of a gas leak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to smash
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 blowup
Noun
That cover, however, came and went without a big blowup; Musk is now on the outs, but his exit missive on Wednesday was thankful, and Trump supposedly still has affection for him. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 30 May 2025 Mainly, the problems are financial, with Joe burning through money and favors, leading, predictably, to a blowup with Bruno. Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025
Verb
Upstream, tobacco sheds are blown up with dynamite to keep them from hitting the bridge. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025 But, while Israel could potentially hit the entrance to Fordo and temporarily block access, it is not believed to have the type of earth-penetrating bombs required to blow up the mountain and crack open the nuclear facility inside, Hinz said. Emma Burrows, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • This is nature storytelling flipped inside out, spotlighting the overlooked, misunderstood, and just plain bizarre animals that keep ecosystems humming behind the scenes.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Behind the scenes tensions between coach and front office.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Volcanic activity is documented since the 17th century, with most eruptions limited to the smaller Lewotobi Laki-laki.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Intense enough to ionize Earth's upper atmosphere, the eruption caused a shortwave radio blackout centered over the Pacific Ocean.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The presence was much larger than when officials detained an immigrant last week and appeared to be a continuation of the new and controversial practice that has troubled attorneys, angered activists and increased fears for immigrants.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
  • Read more: Vikings' Reason For Passing on Aaron Rodgers Revealed: Report Keeping that in mind, a new prediction has been made for the Vikings that will anger the fan base.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Bottom sea mines are placed on the seabed and designed to detonate when a ship passes nearby.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • The defenseless shark is detonated to bits and everyone cheers.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • On June 21, Mitchell, South Dakota, broke its daily high temperatures record at 104 degrees, smashing its previous record of 101 degrees.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • Numerous other boats were damaged that day as the powerful thunderstorm churned up waves and sent boats smashing into each other and the marina, according to KCRA-TV.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The two cracked up laughing, and not about how Ohtani was swinging the bat.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Even Justin Rose, their playing partner, cracked up.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Like Squid Game, Dead Set juxtaposes familiar cultural symbols and settings with grim, inevitable explosions of blood, straddling the line between twisted, compelling drama and a sobering reminder of violence lurking in our present society.
    Rory Doherty, Time, 27 June 2025
  • No one was injured in the explosion, which rained debris on the beaches of the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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