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
Crews have described to The Associated Press seeing drones and missiles explode over the waters as their vessels run low on drinking water, food and other supplies.
—
ABC News, 4 May 2026
The department’s shows have exploded in popularity over the past decade, in large part thanks to the involvement of former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has chaired the Met Gala since 1995.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
Since 2019, state spending has exploded by over 70%, turning a record surplus into a massive deficit.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Crews have described to The Associated Press seeing drones and missiles explode over the waters earlier in the war as their vessels run low on drinking water, food and other supplies.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
ABC News, 4 May 2026
The department’s shows have exploded in popularity over the past decade, in large part thanks to the involvement of former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has chaired the Met Gala since 1995.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
Since 2019, state spending has exploded by over 70%, turning a record surplus into a massive deficit.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Crews have described to The Associated Press seeing drones and missiles explode over the waters earlier in the war as their vessels run low on drinking water, food and other supplies.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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Robots were used to recover and detonate some of the remaining explosive devices, police said.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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The posture changed dramatically in 1995 when Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb next to a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 167 people.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Verb
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LaPorta set the rookie tight end record for receptions in 2023 with 86 (the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers shattered it a year later with 112).—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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If the record pace continues, TDT will raise well over $400 million in the current fiscal year, shattering last year’s mark.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Days after the intense discourse erupted on social media, Emmy-winning Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy applauded the look on Instagram.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
8 May 2026
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Alaniz hit a walk-off home run and flipped his bat as the crowd at Brownwood High School erupted.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Anika Reed Latin music superstar Maluma opted for a dapper Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing USA TODAY a kiss before exiting the carpet.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
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Brunson had 27 points by halftime, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that blew the score to 74-51 and gave him the second-most first-half points in Knicks playoff history.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The Bears smashed 3 home runs in the game with Avery Welch getting things started with a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first after a 1-out walk to Haylie Jimenez.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 May 2026
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Lopez, who smashed 15 homers last season, nearly had his fourth of the season on Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The sun is tickling our necks, the smell of cherry blossoms are wafting through the air, and dazzling new produce is popping up left, right, and center.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
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Fortunately, more homes have just popped up for sale at Powder Haven, the exclusive residential enclave in Utah backed by Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, who acquired the resort in 2023 and has since been reshaping it into a hybrid public-private ski destination.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The house was set to be demolished after Sprague died, but instead it was purchased and partially restored by Roger and Mary Mildred DeWitt in the 1960s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
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Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The site’s sale section is always bursting with steep markdowns, but this month’s assortment is beyond impressive.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Many people are hoping—nay, praying—that the potential AI bubble will burst soon.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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