1
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
the bomb was so powerful that it exploded windows in several neighboring buildings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
the mayor's latest unpopular decision caused long-suppressed resentment to explode into open anger
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
The horror-comedy exploded at the box office with over 9.1 million admissions, claiming the crown as Indonesia’s most successful comedy ever and the second-highest performing local film by overall admissions.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 May 2025
Cudi's vehicle later allegedly exploded in his driveway around the time Ventua alleges Combs made the threat.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Two decades later, development has exploded along the Boise River, drawing artists, businesses and residents hoping to escape higher costs across the river in Boise.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2025
World & Nation Measles cases exploded in Texas after stagnant vaccine funding.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 May 2025
Cudi's vehicle later allegedly exploded in his driveway around the time Ventua alleges Combs made the threat.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Two decades later, development has exploded along the Boise River, drawing artists, businesses and residents hoping to escape higher costs across the river in Boise.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2025
World & Nation Measles cases exploded in Texas after stagnant vaccine funding.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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Her goal is to plant Eva into the lives of the perfect couple like a bomb, set to detonate at their most vulnerable moment.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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What To Know India first tested its nuclear weapons in 1974, becoming the sixth country to detonate a nuclear weapon.—
Nick Mordowanec
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Israel resumed its bombardment in Gaza on March 18, shattering a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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O’Brien ranks 22nd in NCAA history in career caused turnovers with 160, which shatters Lacey Leigh Hentz’s previous school record of 146.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Without Tatum, Brown erupted for his best-scoring game of the series: 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from downtown.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
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The talks came as protests erupted across China, where the loss of the U.S.—the country's largest single export market—was forcing factories to shut down.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Korn blew up in the late-Nineties heyday of MTV’s Total Request Live, where every day’s fan-vote countdown was a battle between the Britney/Backstreet Boys pop kids and the Korn/Limp Bizkit rock kids.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2025
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Short-sleeve shift dresses are popping up in multiple celebs’ wardrobes lately.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Mexican soldiers wearing gas masks and white Hazmat suits smash through the remaining equipment in sweltering 96-degree Fahrenheit heat, stopping occasionally to mop up sweat pouring from their faces.—
Isobel Yeung,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
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Six months after a vehicle smashed through the front window of the Highland Park tea spot and injured Corgan’s mother-in-law, the shop revealed that it had been struck again.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
Verb
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In addition, strong winds over desert areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
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Those cops do more than blow whistles and bark signals.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Verb
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WIth Jarren Duran on first with a one-out single in the sixth, Devers demolished Lugo’s first pitch, a 91.8 mph four-seamer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
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If anything, Gunther should absolutely demolish the beloved McAfee as a way of getting back on the right foot following a surprise submission defeat to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 40.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Sleight of Hand is a powerful, intense rye whiskey bursting with bold flavors reflecting Texas whiskey's power.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Summer isn’t officially here yet, but Amazon is already bursting with airy dresses for under $50.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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