blown up 1 of 2

Definition of blown upnext

blown up

2 of 2

verb

past participle of blow up
1
2
as in exploded
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 demolished
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 blown up
Verb
The grandeur of fantasy at our fingertips, Mario’s essence blown up to galactic proportions, has yet to be rivaled. Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026 The promotion has blown up after the Royals scored 6+ runs in four straight home games. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026 At least the whale wouldn’t be blown up with half a ton of dynamite, like the sperm whale that had beached more than half a century earlier, just 30 miles south of Yachats. Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 The best reality shows—every Bravo franchise, The Kardashians, Dance Moms—are anthropological studies with campy one-liners, life blown up to exaggerated proportions. Daisy Jones, Vogue, 2 May 2026 Then it kind of got all blown up anyway. Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 All the bridge crossings have been blown up. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026 Tatum had scored 42 points on this night, but the Knicks had blown up another double-digit Boston lead and now, in a blink, Tatum was gone. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026 This would qualify as bulletin-board material if the ayatollah’s locker room hadn’t been blown up. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blown up
Verb
  • Those plans angered victims' families, and some prominent state officials called for regulators to deny or delay renewal of the camp's license, which had been under review by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
    Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Despite the apology, Camp Mystic’s plans to reopen in late May with nearly 900 girls have angered victims’ families, and state officials are questioning whether the license should be renewed.
    Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This was the reactor that exploded on April 26, 1986, and sent radioactive fallout across Europe.
    Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
  • Jafa exploded on the art world a decade ago, when Love Is the Message, the Message Is Death had a surprise debut at Art Basel in Switzerland, before becoming a sensation when Gavin Brown debuted it in New York ahead of the 2016 election.
    Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Last night was the sixth time the Padres’ bullpen has blown a lead.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
  • Reluctantly hired to fill in for her is Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a scruffy drifter newly blown into town with some unfinished family business to attend to.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Many news stories had trumpeted it as a victory.
    Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
  • Mazzulla, who’s trumpeted the Celtics depth at every turn this season, shouldn’t hesitate to use it if his starters stumble on Saturday.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • As of Sunday evening, traffic was snarled at Robertson Boulevard and Burton Way, which is on the border between Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles neighborhood of Beverly Grove.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
  • Speaking at a press conference Monday, Beere vowed to track down anyone who escaped officers during their sweeping takedown, which snarled traffic along the bridge.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The facility was demolished in 1960 to make way for a city water plant extension.
    Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
  • The house was set to be demolished after Sprague died, but instead it was purchased and partially restored by Roger and Mary Mildred DeWitt in the 1960s.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Wondering if the talk about using eggshells in your garden is all it's cracked up to be?
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Is tofu all it's cracked up to be?
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This story begins 3,500 years ago in ancient Egypt, where an extract from the corms and seeds of the Mediterranean or autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) was used for treating rheumatism and swollen joints.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
  • Plus, thanks to their more open thong-style straps, these sandals make a great choice for those prone to swollen feet or who might need roomier options.
    Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Blown up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blown%20up. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster