1
as in has a fit
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explodes
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 shatters
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 cracks 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 blows up
This, if possible, blows up in her face even more spectacularly than the brunch fiasco.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Cool, chaotic, and hyper-curious, Xav blows up his sound without losing his style.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
This blows up dinner in a big way.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
The compact vacuum even blows up air mattresses and compresses vacuum storage bags.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
What's Daryl’s psyche like after that boat blows up, and how is that going to play out in season 4?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Cool, chaotic, and hyper-curious, Xav blows up his sound without losing his style.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
This blows up dinner in a big way.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
The compact vacuum even blows up air mattresses and compresses vacuum storage bags.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
What's Daryl’s psyche like after that boat blows up, and how is that going to play out in season 4?
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
-
Peter ultimately takes down his foe and escapes the van just in time before the truck explodes underwater.—
Ashley Boucher,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a possible murder shatters shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship, Imperfect Women kicks off into a high-octane thriller that is sure to keep us guessing until its final minute.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Imperfect Women, created for television by Annie Weisman and based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During one particularly fun moment shared by the LPGA Tour on Instagram, Clark cracks up at Cunningham's energetic approach to the sport — which ended in her accidentally hitting a fan with the ball.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Gemma then detonates the device.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sammie smashes Remmick over the head with his guitar before the vampire can sink his claws into him.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The bike then smashes into a metal barricade before coming to rest against a parked car.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The government announces June 3 as election day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson announces he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Staff cleans up the sand that blows throughout the season to prevent winds from transferring it onto Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
There would be more victories and blows after Beijing.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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