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
  • Officers were called by a neighbor who saw Perez holding a knife and arrived at the scene to subdue him but used deadly force instead of non-violent means of intervention.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The Equinox driver stayed at the scene, and both she and Martinez were transported by EMS to Jacob Medical Center, where Martinez died from severe internal injuries.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 June 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
  • Cambodia angered by neighbor’s new restrictions on border crossings PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia's government on Tuesday accused Thailand of escalating border tensions by imposing new restrictions that have blocked almost all land crossings, especially for tourists heading into Cambodia.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 June 2025
  • As a mom, I’m angered at the existence of so many abusers who lure children through the internet.
    Nicole Russell, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Bottom sea mines are placed on the seabed and designed to detonate when a ship passes nearby.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • The defenseless shark is detonated to bits and everyone cheers.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • On June 21, Mitchell, South Dakota, broke its daily high temperatures record at 104 degrees, smashing its previous record of 101 degrees.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • Numerous other boats were damaged that day as the powerful thunderstorm churned up waves and sent boats smashing into each other and the marina, according to KCRA-TV.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 23 June 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
  • Like Squid Game, Dead Set juxtaposes familiar cultural symbols and settings with grim, inevitable explosions of blood, straddling the line between twisted, compelling drama and a sobering reminder of violence lurking in our present society.
    Rory Doherty, Time, 27 June 2025
  • No one was injured in the explosion, which rained debris on the beaches of the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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