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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of explode
As private markets explode and AI makes automation increasingly possible, Ilicheva saw an opportunity to build the next generation of fund administration software for everyone from venture capital outfits to PE giants like Apollo.
—
Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
From late 2019 to the beginning of 2020, Betelgeuse dimmed so sharply that experts thought the star was on the brink of exploding in a supernova.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
According to the Daily Mail, Rebecca Loos, David Beckham’s former personal assistant, had a few things to say about the long-simmering family drama, which exploded into public view Monday after 26-year-old Brooklyn Beckham posted a lacerating take-down of his parents on Instagram.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
From there, the outbreak exploded.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
From late 2019 to the beginning of 2020, Betelgeuse dimmed so sharply that experts thought the star was on the brink of exploding in a supernova.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
According to the Daily Mail, Rebecca Loos, David Beckham’s former personal assistant, had a few things to say about the long-simmering family drama, which exploded into public view Monday after 26-year-old Brooklyn Beckham posted a lacerating take-down of his parents on Instagram.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
From there, the outbreak exploded.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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In December the group detonated a car bomb in a municipality located along a top cocaine-trafficking route, killing four police officers.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An attack on Greenland would shatter NATO, handing a strategic victory to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin as the world's most successful defensive alliance collapses.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
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School district officials in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, say their sense of security is shaken and their hearts shattered after four students from the district were recently taken by officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The shootout, captured on video by news helicopters and witnesses, erupted Wednesday afternoon after the suspect crashed his car near Julian Street and Notre Dame Avenue, next to the offramp of Highway 87 and seven blocks from City Hall.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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One of the defendant’s friends had a conversation with Velasquez that erupted into a brawl before the defendant charged at the victim and opened fire, the prosecutor said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Purdue blew a 12-point lead in the first half, when the Bruins closed with a 17-5 run — including 11 in a row — to tie it 32-all at the break.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Be careful when the wind is blowing.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The third-grade children were traveling back to Yeshivat Noam Jewish day school in Paramus after a class trip to the Liberty Science Center when a large rock smashed through the bus window, the school previously told Fox News Digital.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Masked thieves jumped out and used trash cans, crowbars and hammers to smash every showcase, Ramzy Tabello, the owner, told freelance news videographer OC Hawk.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For many people, thinking feels like words popping into consciousness and organizing themselves into sentences and arguments.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Reinvention happens when musicians jump genres, like Taylor did from country to pop music.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday morning, crews were nearly finished demolishing the adjacent structures, one of which was damaged by a fire in March 2024.—
Thomas Gounley,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
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What’s certain is that the 50-year-old Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel near the Country Club Plaza will soon be demolished.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Extreme cold snaps in Chicago can cause trees to crack and burst from freezing stress.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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Then be sure to read our guide bursting with handy tips on how to photograph Earth's natural satellite, along with our picks of the best cameras and lenses for capturing the majesty of the night sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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