1
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger
the boss had another blowup when someone fouled up the copy machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to anger
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to crack 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 blowup
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 27 Nov. 2025
But with no obvious blowups or scandals this time, some traders think the current drop is more about technicals and confidence than systemic cracks.
—Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
Eva Thomas, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
With Heated Rivalry absolutely blowing up, perhaps Arnaud will be in the 2026 class?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blowup
Noun
At street level though, Shields’s name is emblazoned in a blowup of a quote about his performance that ran in this column.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 27 Nov. 2025
But with no obvious blowups or scandals this time, some traders think the current drop is more about technicals and confidence than systemic cracks.
—Emily Nicolle, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
Verb
Amal Clooney was spotted at the Milan airport in an unexpected travel outfit that had the InStyle group chat blowing up.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
With Heated Rivalry absolutely blowing up, perhaps Arnaud will be in the 2026 class?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
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And similar scenes of fear and dispossession played out across the country, as Japanese Americans were forced to leave behind their homes and livelihoods and bused to remote camps.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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Instead, expect fellow guests who appreciate the town’s downtown dining scene, stellar maritime museum, and scenic river views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Braedon Tobin lit the lamp four times in an offensive eruption, powering Sandwich in a 7-3 win over Dennis-Yarmouth in the Jeff Hayes Memorial Tournament.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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That includes a 26-point eruption in which Alvarado made eight 3-pointers in Philadelphia.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An explosive test can mean many different things While the major nuclear powers have not detonated a nuclear bomb in decades, that doesn't mean work on nuclear weapons stopped.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
No matter what, Bella Hadid will always smash a theme.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The camera cut to O’Leary cracking up in the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
11 Jan. 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,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In a news conference Friday, a spokesperson for the Pest County Police Headquarters said an explosion in one of the rooms likely caused the fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Some parents told the Tribune that pandemic-era growth seems to have set off a snowball effect, fueled by an explosion of online and at-home learning resources.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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