blowup 1 of 2

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
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

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
Noun
The alliance between the world’s richest man and President Donald Trump broke down Thursday in typical reality show fashion: a messy blowup. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 Despite the public blowup, administration officials told CBS News last week that there had been no efforts to oust officials who came from Musk's orbit. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 June 2025
Verb
The announcement blew up, quickly garnering more than 17,000 comments on Instagram. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 27 June 2025 Cassie previously testified that Diddy, in a jealous rage, threatened to blow up Kid Cudi’s car. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • In Superman’s final scene, Milly Alcock makes her debut as Kara Zor-El a.k.a.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • The famous southwest London venue, which opened in 1899 and was designed by Frank Matcham, the architect who is responsible for some of London’s most iconic theatres including the Palladium and the Coliseum, is the scene of Damsgaard’s coronation as Brentford’s player of the year for 2024-25.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Featuring hundreds of diagrams from the past millennium, ranging from financial charts to maps of volcanic eruptions, the exhibition provides the kind of survey that brings definition to an entire category of visual communication.
    Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Earth processes – such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – also trigger cascading hazards, often with long-lasting effects.
    Brian J. Yanites, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Topline Attorney General Pam Bondi has become the chief lightning rod for those on the right angered by the Department of Justice’s lack of new information regarding disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein—a subject of extensive right-wing conspiracies—with some calling for her firing.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • That comment angered many staffers, several said in interviews.
    Rachana Pradhan, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The bomb squads were detonating more fireworks to try to make the area safe.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
  • Richard Reid did not detonate the explosive and the plane landed in Boston after passengers subdued him.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The other oar was smashed off, and the raft was littered up with leaves and branches and dirt.
    John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
  • The Bay of Fundy in Canada, which has the highest tidal range in the world (reaching up to 50 ft (15 m) and would make for an excellent source of clean energy for the region, has routinely been smashing tidal turbines to bits with its rapid tidal streams.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Not so lucky was Roy Wilson, a veteran of over 65 aerial sequences, who was killed during the filming of Columbia’s War Correspondent (1932) when his plane went into a tailspin at 2,000 feet and cracked up on the ground.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025
  • The two cracked up laughing, and not about how Ohtani was swinging the bat.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Yankees’ double-digit explosion on a rainy night provided plenty of breathing room for a bullpen that has been taxed and decimated by injuries.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
  • These new requirements, including this relatively tight deadline, could trigger an explosion of litigation across the state as condo associations begin to reassess governing documents, assessment structures, and recorded declarations, Pardo said.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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