explode

verb

ik-ˈsplōd How to pronounce explode (audio)
Definition of explodenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Peña, a four-year NYPD veteran assigned to the 84th Precinct in Downtown Brooklyn, was thrown from his motorcycle, which kept going down the highway, slamming into a wall and exploding into flames, video posted on social media shows. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 After years of being sidelined, research on mitochondria is now exploding, said Carmen Sandi, a behavioral and systems neuroscientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026 The moment when everything has been flung apart and is exploding in front of you. — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026 Meanwhile, an instrument called the Pluto Energetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation is measuring galactic cosmic rays, extremely fast particles created when stars explode. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
  1. detonate
  2. shatter
  3. erupt
  4. blow
  5. smash
  6. pop
  7. demolish
  8. burst
Verb
  • The video shows these drones flying into the Russian positions and detonating their payloads during the assault.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Last week, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near Damascus' main judicial complex, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of detonate
Verb
  • Six years ago, the signing of the Abraham Accords was dismissed by skeptics as a fragile, fair-weather agreement, bound to shatter at the first sign of Middle Eastern turbulence.
    — Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
  • For many Colombians, the attack on Uribe Turbay shattered the belief that the country had largely left behind the era when presidential candidates routinely became targets of political violence.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • The war erupted in April 2023 after former allies Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fell out in a power struggle.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • The best seat in the house is wherever the room erupts when the ball hits the net.
    — Ali Farooqui, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of erupt
Verb
  • The night quickly blew open from there, a 10-7 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies that was uglier than the final score and further sank Sheehan’s season.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • This actor, Yannis Kokiasmenos, came in for half a day and is holding his own, smashing this scene.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • Many have labeled the match dull, with neither team scoring until Spain’s Ferran Torres smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 106th minute to defeat reigning champs Argentina.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 July 2026
Definition of smash
Verb
  • Julian Alvarez provides bustling energy and quality up top, Enzo Fernandez has popped up with crucial late goals, and Emi Martinez is a confident presence between the posts.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Then, around five years ago, a strange phenomenon started to pop up, as stars stepped out on red carpets in glammed-up versions of their characters’ onscreen looks.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of pop
Verb
  • Western Newspaper Union Building Plans filed with the city show that the project would include demolishing and replacing an existing building on the site.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
  • The Rike Concert Hall in Tbilisi, Georgia, is set to be demolished.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 21 July 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • Protesters burst in and take over news conference as Madison police identify man killed by officer a day earlier.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to burst and release their juices.
    — Laura Mclively, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of burst

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explode
exploded
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Cite this Entry

“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of explode for Spanish Speakers

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