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
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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
The Apollo 13 crew did not land on the moon after an oxygen tank in the service module exploded roughly 56 hours into the mission, depriving the spacecraft of electrical power and life‑support consumables.
—
Anna Commander
hannah Parry
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Beyond the political realm, antisemitism is exploding in many of the liberal camp’s cultural institutions — academia, public education, Hollywood, medicine — where anti-Jewish discrimination, harassment, and violence are a common occurrence.
—Nathan Diament, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
The controversy exploded when Randi (@Randipandy_) posted a now-viral video from her car, blasting parents who refuse to buy even basic items for the classroom.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2025
The team’s high valuation shows how strong a demand there is to invest in Formula 1, which saw its popularity explode in the U.S. thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series—and surely Brad Pitt and Damson Idris’s F1 flick helped out with that, too.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Anna Commander
hannah Parry
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Beyond the political realm, antisemitism is exploding in many of the liberal camp’s cultural institutions — academia, public education, Hollywood, medicine — where anti-Jewish discrimination, harassment, and violence are a common occurrence.
—Nathan Diament, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
The controversy exploded when Randi (@Randipandy_) posted a now-viral video from her car, blasting parents who refuse to buy even basic items for the classroom.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2025
The team’s high valuation shows how strong a demand there is to invest in Formula 1, which saw its popularity explode in the U.S. thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series—and surely Brad Pitt and Damson Idris’s F1 flick helped out with that, too.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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The first nuclear weapon was detonated in secret at Alamogordo Bombing Range in New Mexico on July 16, 1945, inaugurating the Atomic Age.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Aug. 2025
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Bomarc rockets had jets designed to propel a W40 nuclear warhead into high-flying USSR aircraft, which would detonate in the sky, showering the earth with radioactive debris, neutralizing quite a few enemies of American freedom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Although the bit, which was filled with a series of absurd interpretative dances, made the audience erupt with laughter, the actress was genuinely touched by the honor.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Martin has been trying to put out fires in the Democratic civil war that erupted over Mamdani’s shock victory on June 24.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Literally, as this is about Shabbat clubs, popping up all over New York City and beyond on Friday nights, per the Jewish tradition.—
Sophie Liza Cannon,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Daily lenses are so comfortable that people tend to quickly adapt to their new routine: Wake up, pop in a fresh set, go about the day, and then take them out and toss them in the trash, no solution or contact case required.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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By then, there were two outs, Jesse Winker was on second and came home on an RBI single by Starling Marte, dramatically smashing his helmet at home plate, punctuating a two-run lead.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
8 Aug. 2025
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The Capitol building had been breached two hours earlier, with doors knocked off hinges and windows smashed.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The foghorn blew every 30 seconds and pelicans sailed above, doing a quick half corkscrew turn before diving.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After partially collapsing on Sunday, one of the two Eutaw Street buildings condemned by the city’s housing department was being demolished Monday evening, as transportation officials advised that street closures likely will continue through Tuesday’s commute.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
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And its new chair, Rep. Mike Flood, wants to demolish that assumption for good.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Berries—and raspberries in particular—are another food that’s bursting with fiber.—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
4 Aug. 2025
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Perabo burst onto the scene as wannabe singer Violet Sanford, who moves from New Jersey to N.Y.C. to pursue her dreams — and ends up joining the Coyote Ugly crew.—
Kate Hogan,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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