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
Estonia last month reported a Ukrainian drone crashing and exploding on its territory.
—
David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
But the rocket appeared tilted too far to the left to land and when the reverse thrusters fired, the rocket overcorrected and leaned too far the other direction before exploding on the landing pad in a cloud of fire and debris.
—Nathan Furr, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
At least four people were killed and 90 others injured when a gas truck exploded in Mexico City on Wednesday.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Across social media conservative influencers have exploded with a mix of grief and rage.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
But the rocket appeared tilted too far to the left to land and when the reverse thrusters fired, the rocket overcorrected and leaned too far the other direction before exploding on the landing pad in a cloud of fire and debris.
—Nathan Furr, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
At least four people were killed and 90 others injured when a gas truck exploded in Mexico City on Wednesday.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Across social media conservative influencers have exploded with a mix of grief and rage.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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One Russian missile landed in a forest but didn't detonate.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Israel’s concentration on destroying Gaza City’s infrastructure has utilized a variety of means, including heavy bombs and, recently, old armored vehicles laden with a large amount of explosives and detonated via remote control.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What would shatter any other nation has become our daily broadcast.—
John Feinblatt,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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These hopes are shattered when a brutish stranger appears on the doorstep to take his family back.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This question comes after social media erupted with a wide range of reactions to Kirk’s assassination.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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That moment of silence itself soon erupted into House strife, with shouting on the floor.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The loud, colorful Northern Thai restaurant has always been a celeb magnet—Guillermo del Toro, Shawn Mendes, Jacob Elordi, James Harden and Simu Liu have all popped by in recent years.—
Kate Dingwall,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Shares of Oracle surged 26% in Tuesday’s extended trading hours, after the tech old guard reported that multicloud database revenue from Amazon, Google and Microsoft grew at the eye-popping rate of 1,529% in its last quarter, fueled by demand for AI servers.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shoplifting became a political lighting rod, and videos of thieves smashing store windows and grabbing merchandise rocketed across the news and social media as a symbol of a breakdown across cities.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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The forward smashed a strike across the goalkeeper and into the top corner, before wheeling away in emotional celebration.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Cleveland Browns blew both a golden opportunity at what would’ve been the surprise upset of Week 1 and a chance to add to the Cincinnati Bengals’ early-season misery of the past few years.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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In a shocking and dominant performance, Lesnar completely demolished Cena, delivering 16 German suplexes in a one-sided beatdown to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Drue Tranquill, a linebacker, not a defensive lineman, burst through the line on a blitz for two sacks in the second half.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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So many balls burst through my hands.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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