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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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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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

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 explode But that laudable goal is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve, given their data centers' exploding electricity consumption. Michael Riordan, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2025 The spotlight bulb had exploded twenty minutes before the start of the performance. Chelsea Edgar, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2025 The plan was for the aid to be approved before Jan. 20, when Trump was sworn into office, but that timeline was pushed back after wildfires in the Los Angeles area exploded and the Legislature worked on an aid package in response. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, Trump's net worth was about to explode from an asset that, up to that point, didn't exist. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for explode 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
  • The North Korean soldier seen detonating the grenade in the video carried a fake Russian military ID which identified him as 29-year-old Ment Chat.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
  • During separate trials for Young and Phillips in 2010 and 2014, respectively, prosecutors laid out their theory of the murder plot: Young constructed and detonated a pipe bomb in exchange for money that Phillips received from Triano’s life insurance policy.
    Matt Allen, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The loss is just beyond description and my heart is shattered.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
  • In the book his sense of complacency as a middle-class Jewish American is shattered by the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 and the resurgence of the far right.
    Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Hughes fire, which erupted last week, prompted additional evacuations and has charred more than 10,000 acres.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The two wildfires, which erupted on Jan. 7 about 40 miles apart, are the second and third most destructive fires in California’s history and killed 28 people, officials said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Chinese tech giant popped 2% after dropping a new version of its artificial intelligence model Qwen.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Besides Cohen, Mel Brooks and Ron Howard pop in for seemingly unnecessary vocal cameos.
    Marshall Heyman, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Maye can be the face of the offense, while Carter smashes into opposing QBs on the other side of the ball.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The front door of a Batavia liquor store was smashed and a number of items stolen early Tuesday morning, Batavia police said.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the wind is blowing strangely now that Donald Trump is back in the White House as President and officially fighting against diversity, equity and inclusion.
    Evan Clark, WWD, 3 Feb. 2025
  • By relying on the two most powerful forces blowing through Wall Street: the tenacious bid for stocks among retail investors and an immaculate rotation among sectors that insulates the tape against more violent moves.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • According to the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, the restaurant was later demolished to make way for Interstate 805.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The roof and several walls of her modest home have been demolished, leaving Jahjouh with just one room covered with a makeshift roof.
    Tareq Al Hilou, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Fast radio burst traced to 'dead' galaxy The recent burst, called FRB 20240209A, throws that theory into question.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
  • What used to be a one-stop barbecue shop is now a city bursting with countless dining options and cuisines, from street tacos to one of the best bowls of pho in the country.
    Caitlin Morton, AFAR Media, 27 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

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