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

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
There were crash outs, blowups, fights over pancakes and some messy breakups. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025 While not immune to blowups, Peterson has been remarkably consistent, possibly the closest thing to a slump-proof starter the Mets have. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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 In the middle of the date, the FBI interjects and arrests the man, blowing up Athena’s cover. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • The Hood County sheriff said that his department’s dive team was dispatched to the scene.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Photos from the scene showed a red helicopter on its side in the middle of the freeway as first responders tended to the injured.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • These spirals of solar wind can lead to large solar eruptions that can affect astronauts in orbit and key technological infrastructure on Earth.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The dazzling display is linked to two solar eruptions, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), that are now heading toward Earth.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, after the pandemic—which initially decimated sales but then led to a surge in business that overwhelmed REI’s supply chain and operations—Artz made moves that angered many employees.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The real estate developer who angered Benbrook residents this past summer with his plan to build in a floodplain has been indicted on felony charges in Parker County for alleged misappropriation of funds and theft.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Soviet Union detonated its first device four years after Hiroshima.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In her 2018 opening sermon as Bishop of London, Mullally told the congregation that 105 years ago, suffragettes tried to detonate a bomb under the seat on which she been enthroned moments earlier.
    Lauren Frayer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 28-year-old provided another example with his second goal of the game, beating Robin Koch and smashing Bayern’s third into the top corner, late in the second half.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to smashing the Machine, Swift also easily soared over Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed One Battle After Another, the Leonardo DiCaprio-starring drama that fell to second place in week two.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But one real estate veteran says owning a home might not be all it’s cracked up to be right now.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The surprisingly funny duo kept social media fans cracking up, but after about a year, their relationship quietly ended.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Washington Post had reported that residents had grown accustomed to explosions from his stunts and videos and his larger-than-life presence.
    Chris Quintana, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
  • An Associated Press reporter in Chaman heard jets over Spin Boldak, a city in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, and saw smoke rising after an explosion.
    NPR, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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