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
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
-
Having this really intense action scene, and then all of a sudden a joke, a funny moment.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Allen’s title character asks her mother in the play’s second scene.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That was the sound of Blackwell’s game-deciding block, followed by the deafening final eruption from the stands of Allegiant Stadium.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Jenkins was ready, calmly raising his camera to capture the eruption.—
John Armwood III,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And nothing angers the Survivor gods more than reality TV hubris.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 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
-
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
-
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
-
During a two-point conversion play, Jennings caught the ball in the endzone, but was smashed between two Jaguars defenders.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 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
Noun
-
Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
One officer on the scene advised reporters to move back, saying there was a small possibility of an explosion.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
One officer on scene advised news media to move back, saying there was a small possibility of an explosion.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share