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
Colorful mortars exploded in the air and closer to the ground, and Roman candles could be seen flying into the air.
—
Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Oslo petered out in the late 1990s and then exploded into the Second Intifada in late 2000.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
For instance, the aluminum could have exploded out of the supernova, while the iron — coming from deeper in the star’s core — could have fallen back into the dead star.
—James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 2 Mar. 2026
Finally, in September 2024, after months of tit-for-tat attacks, Netanyahu launched a full-fledged campaign against Hezbollah, complete with exploding beepers and bunker-busting bombs.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Oslo petered out in the late 1990s and then exploded into the Second Intifada in late 2000.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026
For instance, the aluminum could have exploded out of the supernova, while the iron — coming from deeper in the star’s core — could have fallen back into the dead star.
—James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 2 Mar. 2026
Finally, in September 2024, after months of tit-for-tat attacks, Netanyahu launched a full-fledged campaign against Hezbollah, complete with exploding beepers and bunker-busting bombs.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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Experts also reported little evidence that Iran is actively resuming its efforts to enrich uranium, let alone building a bomb-detonating mechanism.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
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The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The long-simmering rivalry between Sunni and Shiite Muslims erupted into a civil war that killed tens of thousands of civilians.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The long-festering malaise erupted into street demonstrations last September, triggered by a social media ban, that brought thousands onto the streets, leading to clashes and fatalities that forced the resignation of Oli.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After blowing a three-run lead, Harvard-Westlake still came out on top with a 4-3 victory over Huntington Beach on Tuesday when Ethan Price delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Since that point, the price of the precious metal has blown past $5,000, set several new all-time highs and handed investors more than 100% returns in a single year.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wearing hooded sweatshirts and full-face masks, the robbers ordered employees to one part of the room at gunpoint before two of them smashed the glass display cases with sledgehammers, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Nick Sullivan
March 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Rocco-Herrmann/Getty Images After the price of silver smashed through a record $100 per ounce milestone in late January, many investors would be forgiven for expecting the metal to continue its remarkable surge upward largely unimpeded.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Peel yourself away from the island's precious beaches for a long, lazy afternoon spent enjoying sweeping views from this hillside spot and popping into breezy local haunts like Robert Righteous and de Youths, known for its colorful Caribbean decor.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
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Spinach seedlings pop up a little more quickly than carrots and help conserve soil moisture.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the new bridge’s opening, the old iron bridge was demolished.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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In December 2025, the old Harbormaster building was demolished, and utility and electrical work began, according to the project website.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Picturesque wind instruments suddenly burst forth as if a flock of birds were flying over the pyramids.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Wembanyama burst around it, received a pass and threw down a dunk.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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