1
as in detonates
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 shatters
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 erupts
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 explodes
Every note just explodes off the instrument.
—
Charlie Harding, Vulture, 15 May 2026
After 10 years of dormancy, the desert explodes with color, attracting visitors and pollinators alike.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
In the video, an officer tries to use a key to enter the residence when the front of the building explodes in a fiery blast.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
And this is where the computing space explodes.
—Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026
In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
That everything-at-once approach explodes across a whole wall at the opposite end of the gallery.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Yet by the end, the song explodes into a crushing wall of sound, Day’s voice spawning in triples above a screeching electronica bed.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Charlie Harding, Vulture, 15 May 2026
After 10 years of dormancy, the desert explodes with color, attracting visitors and pollinators alike.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
In the video, an officer tries to use a key to enter the residence when the front of the building explodes in a fiery blast.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
And this is where the computing space explodes.
—Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026
In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
That everything-at-once approach explodes across a whole wall at the opposite end of the gallery.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Yet by the end, the song explodes into a crushing wall of sound, Day’s voice spawning in triples above a screeching electronica bed.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
-
After the pass comes to Bridges, who detonates passersby at the basket regularly, White goes straight up, though with a little more oomph than usual.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The other, from the southwest Khuzestan province, has a filling of dates, walnuts and coconut and pastry that shatters like a shell.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And as for the showstopping pelican, the frog erupts out of its beak right on cue, a moment that indeed inspires a round of laughter and childlike awe.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
-
That climaxes in a kaleidoscope of styles where Esteban, directing one scene, erupts in fury, reverting to a verbal and physical violence which Emilia obviously knew and suffered as child, Sorogoyen explains.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
For every scene that feels false or unnecessary, there is one that works well; for every plot point that feels ticked off a checklist, something surprising pops up.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
-
The Culinary Chef Electric Popcorn Maker is a countertop unit that pops corn using hot air rather than oil.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef to make the patties superthin, then top them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Yang smashes the model minority stereotype by creating a deeply flawed antihero and deliciously twisty tale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Thirty years later, that daughter walks into a therapist’s office — and blows the cover off a landmine she was never meant to touch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After hundreds to thousands of years, the feeding black hole or neutron star falls into the stellar core and destroys it, creating a luminous emission.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Federal debt destroys wealth and impedes economic growth.—
Rose Evans
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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