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
But their popularity exploded after the war when people did a lot of traveling.
—
Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Coby White, the Hornets’ energetic sixth man, exploded in the third quarter, producing 14 points following halftime.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
The Twins exploded for 11 runs right off the bat to chase lefty ace Garrett Crochet from the game after only 1 2/3 innings of work.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
Orbán’s stance on the Iran war, however, is unclear, especially after The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Hungary offered to help Iran in 2024 after Israel caused thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese proxy, to explode.
—Serge Schmemann, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Coby White, the Hornets’ energetic sixth man, exploded in the third quarter, producing 14 points following halftime.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
The Twins exploded for 11 runs right off the bat to chase lefty ace Garrett Crochet from the game after only 1 2/3 innings of work.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
Orbán’s stance on the Iran war, however, is unclear, especially after The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Hungary offered to help Iran in 2024 after Israel caused thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese proxy, to explode.
—Serge Schmemann, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
-
The bombs did not detonate and no one was injured.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The operation shattered Hezbollah's communications network and became the benchmark in Israel for a strike that fundamentally changed the battlefield.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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Democrats Beto O'Rourke in 2018 in Texas and Jaime Harrison in 2020 in South Carolina shattered fundraising records and still lost to their Republican rivals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Szépvölgyi mocked the prime minister, who is 62, for seeming unsteady when boos erupted at one of his recent rallies.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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This year, after unusually heavy rains in February, Carrizo Plain erupted in a dramatic bloom in March, attracting several hundred visitors per day.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Coachella livestream camera showed Hailey in the audience, blowing a kiss to her husband on stage as the crowd erupted in cheers.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Lyrids are known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors that tend to lack persistent trails, but have the potential to spawn spectacular fireballs as larger chunks of Comet Thatcher smash into Earth's atmosphere.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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In footage shared by the BBC on X, Medvedev, who suffered a 6-0 6-0 loss during the 49-minute match, was filmed smashing up his tennis racket six times and angrily tossing it across the court.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tornado warnings in Southwest and Mid-Michigan were popping up through the late evening.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Tennessee used him frequently on deep crossers and vertical routes, where his stride length and tracking ability popped.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chappaquiddick would have demolished the career of most, but not Ted, and not in Kennedy country.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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Last fall, a portion of the White House East Wing was demolished to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rico, his wife Michele and daughter Mia burst from their chairs and cheer as Domino flexes his arms, each sleeved in tattoos of dominoes, palm trees and a Cuban cafetera with biceps.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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My heart is constantly bursting open, while also breaking into a million pieces.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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