blowup 1 of 2

Definition of blowupnext

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
Having an enormous blowup has never kept Taylor and Dakota from hooking up before. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 But more often than not, the blowups that surprise leaders usually come from something way simpler—the lack of clear direction. Dan Haiem, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
As Rook lay on the kitchen floor after the violent attack, George started a fire in the basement that blew up a gas canister and triggered an explosion that ripped through their home and woke up neighbors, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Some of his opponents recently began criticizing him over his connection to Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric convicted in 1995 of conspiring to blow up the United Nations and other New York-area landmarks. Mike Catalini, Fortune, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • The car crashed into a fence, then smashed into the house’s front porch and came to rest in a vertical position on the steps, according to authorities and video from the scene.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • All that moonlight over dewy grass and lamplight on Parisian streets create texture for the flawed adults who walk through these scenes, for their misguided sense of propriety.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Milwaukee's eruption in the sixth turned a 3-1 deficit into a comfortable cushion.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
  • While the prominence resembles a fiery eruption, Johnston notes that looks can be deceiving.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Star forward Sardar Azmoun was dropped in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the war.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • Butler’s refusal to attend the hearing frustrated and angered several of Sheron’s supporters present for the hearing Wednesday.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Authorities allege Roberts detonated both devices in a rock quarry area to test them.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
  • The explosive detonated in Biak Numfor Regency in Indonesia's Papua Province on Sunday, May 31, leaving at least five people dead and five others hospitalized with injuries, The Jakarta Globe and Antara reported, citing local authorities.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The men would brandish firearms and smash car windows before demanding that the victim hand over the money.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
  • Every day, there are news reports of hundreds of people rioting in cities across our country — windows being smashed, merchandise stolen, police vehicles damaged and people being attacked and injured.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Paige, known for his tall tales, would crack up other members of the organization.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2026
  • Mark Toothaker, a stallion sales manager for Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, was on the couch cracking up with his wife, Malory, about the whiffed field goal and consequential turnover.
    Kelly O'Grady, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Rhodes celebrated with the crowd at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while Gunther walked back up the entrance ramp in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The larger and more immediate risk came from the possible explosion.
    Jason Henry, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • The chemical behind the explosion — ammonium nitrate — is not regulated under RMP.
    Evan Bush, NBC news, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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