Synonyms of blowup

blowup 1 of 2

noun

ˈblō-ˌəp 

1

as in scene

an outburst or display of excited anger

the boss had another blowup when someone fouled up the copy machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scene
• huff
• explosion
• outburst
• fit
• reaction
• frenzy
• fireworks
• tantrum
• rage
• hysteria
• seizure
• hissy fit
• upheaval
• distraction
• storm
• eruption
• hissy
• fury
• agitation
• rampage
• temper
• indignation
• uproar
• spasm
• flare-up
• furore
• furor
• delirium
• wrath
• paroxysm
• pouts
• rise
• ire
• snit
• spleen
• lividity
• wrathfulness
• convulsion(s)
• pet
• lividness
• angriness
• sulkiness
• hump
• choler
• dander
• sullenness
• irateness
• grouch
• sulk(s)

2

as in eruption

the act or an instance of exploding

the last blowup of the volcano flattened trees for miles around

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eruption
• explosion
• firing
• bursting
• detonation
• blast
• burst
• outburst
• shooting
• blowout
• boom
• pop
• discharge
• flare-up
• bang
• airburst
• groundburst

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to anger

to become very angry

she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• fly into a rage
• hit the roof
• flare (up)
• fly off the handle
• snarl
• hit the ceiling
• have a fit
• flip (out)
• blow a gasket
• snap
• blow one's top
• go ballistic
• blow one's stack
• glare
• explode
• lose one's temper
• blow one's cool
• forget oneself
• lose one's cool
• storm
• steam
• tee off
• flare (out)
• flash
• rage
• warm
• foam
• rave
• vituperate
• sputter
• rant
• fulminate
• burst
• vent
• bristle
• burn
• glower
• smolder
• sizzle
• fume
• seethe
• inflame
• madden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm (down)
• cool (off or down)
• relax
• simmer down
• quiet (down)
• chill out
• hush

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

• detonate
• explode
• blow
• pop
• burst
• go off
• fragment
• crump
• smash
• fire
• shatter
• discharge
• splinter
• shoot
• mushroom
• balloon
• burgeon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapse
• implode
• fizzle

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

• smash
• shatter
• demolish
• blow
• destroy
• burst
• pop
• explode
• blast
• detonate
• annihilate
• ruin
• wreck
• fragment
• dynamite
• decimate
• discharge
• splinter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapse
• implode

4

as in to crack 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

• crack up
• advertise
• announce
• cry up
• promote
• tub-thump
• acclaim
• trumpet
• tout
• commend
• offer
• glorify
• applaud
• compliment
• ballyhoo
• laud
• extol
• proclaim
• pronounce
• eulogize
• magnify
• publicize
• lay down
• plug
• blare
• claim
• herald
• blaze
• declare
• make out
• assert
• boost
• blazon
• advance
• aver

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blowup

Noun

The administration declared the company a US supply-chain risk as a result of the blowup and ordered US agencies to phase out the use of its products. — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026

Schedule the fight Most blowups happen when one person is already activated and the other gets caught off guard and slips into defense mode—which means no one is actually listening. — Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026

Verb

Defensively, Aaron Young will be looking to blow up as a senior. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

The person who blows up at a subordinate under stress has usually been subtly condescending in one-on-ones for months. — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026