Definition of blowupnext

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The history of peacemaking – from Kadesh to the Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian war, to the Belfast Agreement that halted the 30-year sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland – shows that public blowups and threats to walk out are normal stages, not proof of failure. Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 The administration declared the company a US supply-chain risk as a result of the blowup and ordered US agencies to phase out the use of its products. Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Verb
They’d been introduced when Boobie was in the seventh or eighth grade — and just beginning to blow up on social media. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 With lockdown over, the demand for live events surged, and the tournament began blowing up previous attendance numbers. Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • There’s no denying that the fall 2026 runways made a strong case for color; even the street style scene is on board, slipping into colorful shoes and sporting handbags in a variety of vibrant shades—baby pink, chartreuse, and cobalt.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Fort Worth Fire Department provided medical aid, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Sonic booms, volcanic eruptions and meteor airbursts can produce similar atmospheric shock waves, potentially creating other natural seismic sources.
    Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The eruption also generated roughly 360 cubic miles (1,500 cubic kilometers) of pyroclastic-density-current deposits.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That angered Michigan Democrats who were frustrated with El-Sayed, and brought Jeffries and other Democrats into the fray, putting the candidate El-Sayed had invested the most in on the defensive.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The president is defending the data center boom as GOP officials across the country turn against projects that have angered voters.
    Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • However, Lai explained that the launcher could, in theory, deliver explosive payloads designed to detonate near a target.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The informants allegedly met with Bowie on Wednesday and provided her with an inert explosive device and an inert handgun along with instructions on how to detonate the explosive, the complaint said.
    Jack Date, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The male driver and woman passenger reported that the officers smashed the car window during the late-night traffic stop in Phoenix, according to a statement from Phoenix police.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The male driver and female passenger reported that during the late-night traffic stop in Phoenix, the officers smashed the car window, according to a statement from Phoenix police.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But then Anton brings up the idea of Talia and Brooke using him as their sperm donor and Talia fully cracks up.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Though the threat of an explosion was mitigated in early June, cleanup didn't begin until the very end of the month.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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