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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of explode
The horror-comedy exploded at the box office with over 9.1 million admissions, claiming the crown as Indonesia’s most successful comedy ever and the second-highest performing local film by overall admissions.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 May 2025
Cudi's vehicle later allegedly exploded in his driveway around the time Ventua alleges Combs made the threat.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Two decades later, development has exploded along the Boise River, drawing artists, businesses and residents hoping to escape higher costs across the river in Boise.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2025
World & Nation Measles cases exploded in Texas after stagnant vaccine funding.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 May 2025
Cudi's vehicle later allegedly exploded in his driveway around the time Ventua alleges Combs made the threat.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Two decades later, development has exploded along the Boise River, drawing artists, businesses and residents hoping to escape higher costs across the river in Boise.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2025
World & Nation Measles cases exploded in Texas after stagnant vaccine funding.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
-
Written by Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, the film follows an airliner threatened by a bomb that will detonate if the plane drops below 4,000 feet.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Music seizes the reins and detonates the studied historicity viewers expect from stories about 20th-century music, pausing to highlight points the reader normally catches in articles about a movie rather than scenes in it: Yes, the blues begat both DOOM and doom.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Tobias is shattered by the negative response, but Gabin’s aggression doesn’t do anything to pull Tobias together.—
Oliver Sava,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In a must-win situation Friday night, the St. Louis Blues erupted for four goals in the second period and won 5-2 over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 6.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
Kyiv Trump had earlier framed any deal as a way for Kyiv to repay U.S. military aid and President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to sign a deal in Washington in February before it was shelved after a spat erupted between the presidents in the White House.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Lately the home space feels like their next frontier, with collaborations and collections popping up left and right.—
Nora Taylor,
Architectural Digest,
2 May 2025
-
Billboards teasing the cover popped up around Toronto earlier this week before its eventual arrival on Friday.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Mexican soldiers wearing gas masks and white Hazmat suits smash through the remaining equipment in sweltering 96-degree Fahrenheit heat, stopping occasionally to mop up sweat pouring from their faces.—
Isobel Yeung,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
-
Two pitches later, Giolito missed with another hanging changeup and Alejandro Kirk smashed it for a solo homer.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
However, the impending free agent had an 11.25 ERA, two losses and one blown save over 10 games entering Monday.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Vindman and his twin brother, Alex, both blew the whistle on Trump’s attempt to withhold military aid to Ukraine while pressuring the country’s leader to investigate the family of President Joe Biden.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His effect on next-door Canada, however, has been to demolish America’s reputation.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The Pennsylvania home where Yankees great Reggie Jackson spent his childhood was demolished Monday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There are sometimes only images: foggy white drizzle, melted rainbows in a gasoline puddle, pink foam insulation bursting between slats of splintered wood.—
Jia Tolentino,
New Yorker,
3 May 2025
-
Two moments were made in his image: Acerbi’s burst forward from centre-back to lead a counter-attack, moments after conceding an equaliser, and Barella’s calmness in the closing seconds, calmly chipping a ball to himself in his own area after Yamal hit the bar.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share