blows up

Definition of blows upnext
present tense third-person singular of blow up
1
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

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 blows up 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 When Yung Felon’s identity is revealed, his music blows up with billions of streams, and new fans flock to support him despite his heinous crimes. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2025 This week, Cardi B has a message for the competition, Chance The Rapper comes full circle and Dijon blows up. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
  • During high season the hotel scene explodes with a vengeance when New York, London, Paris, and Los Angeles all tend to converge in this very spot.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In unedited body camera footage, an agent lobs what appears to be a flashbang into the air, which explodes in the same spot seen in the DHS video.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One agent opens the back-seat door as the car begins to move; another shatters her passenger-side window.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The Bradford pear shatters easily at the trunk due to the branch angles, Zampini says.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 16 Jan. 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
  • Gemma then detonates the device.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When Mickey smashes the broom, each piece becomes a new water-fetching runaway robot.
    Bipul Sinha, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • If the spud bar smashes through, a person could too.
    Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Magician Doug Henning announces plans to build Veda Land, a theme park based on magic, mysticism and transcendental meditation, in Osceola County.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
  • American Express announces the new platinum business card.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Oscar nominee stars as struggling actor Shah Latif who, at first, blows a shot at the coveted role.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
  • An observer, with a capital O, with hard hands, is somebody that stands on the corner of their community and blows the whistle and makes a noise.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 29 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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