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
After debuting with minimal fanfare in November 2025, the provocative Canadian drama about rival hockey players whose passion explodes into lust (and eventually love) became a word-of-mouth sensation.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
The Grand Prix winner of last year’s Cannes Critics Week, filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s snaky, surprising fable starts with a sneeze and explodes into a saga about bureaucracy, modernization and moral corruption.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
During high season the hotel scene explodes with a vengeance when New York, London, Paris, and Los Angeles all tend to converge in this very spot.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
In unedited body camera footage, an agent lobs what appears to be a flashbang into the air, which explodes in the same spot seen in the DHS video.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
When a guest commentator explodes on live television in an unimaginable crime, the world is thrust into shock.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … INTERNAL STRIFE – CBS reporter explodes at top editor during heated meeting over long-delayed 'Inside CECOT' segment.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
San Francisco Travel Association Color explodes across the walls of Clarion Alley—a narrow passage in the Mission District known for its ever-changing murals.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Heather is confused about what exactly LUXE Marketing (Lisa’s company that isn’t Vida) does, and Lisa explodes at her for even asking the question.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
The Grand Prix winner of last year’s Cannes Critics Week, filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s snaky, surprising fable starts with a sneeze and explodes into a saga about bureaucracy, modernization and moral corruption.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
During high season the hotel scene explodes with a vengeance when New York, London, Paris, and Los Angeles all tend to converge in this very spot.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
In unedited body camera footage, an agent lobs what appears to be a flashbang into the air, which explodes in the same spot seen in the DHS video.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
When a guest commentator explodes on live television in an unimaginable crime, the world is thrust into shock.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … INTERNAL STRIFE – CBS reporter explodes at top editor during heated meeting over long-delayed 'Inside CECOT' segment.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
San Francisco Travel Association Color explodes across the walls of Clarion Alley—a narrow passage in the Mission District known for its ever-changing murals.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Heather is confused about what exactly LUXE Marketing (Lisa’s company that isn’t Vida) does, and Lisa explodes at her for even asking the question.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
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Gemma then detonates the device.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After a possible murder shatters shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship, Imperfect Women kicks off into a high-octane thriller that is sure to keep us guessing until its final minute.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
4 Feb. 2026
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Imperfect Women, created for television by Annie Weisman and based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Parents should show their child another way to behave and show their emotions in a healthy manner when conflict erupts.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
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In Empire City, when a hostage crisis erupts inside New York’s landmark Clybourn Building, former Navy SEAL turned firefighter Rhett (Butler), his squad, and his NYPD wife Dani (Atwell) must fight and navigate their way through the building to rescue the captives.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now former Roots and Black Swan chef Charlie Smith heads up the kitchen, although Tommy often pops in for lunch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Just walking the sidewalk at Madison Children's Museum is full of surprises—artwork pops up spontaneously through the windows for a one-of-a-kind experience every time.—
Elena Donovan Mauer,
Parents,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mane challenges Will to a round of one-and-one and basically smashes him.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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The bike then smashes into a metal barricade before coming to rest against a parked car.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the Legislature is also considering two bills that strike hammer blows at protections for young teens.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
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The Oscar nominee stars as struggling actor Shah Latif who, at first, blows a shot at the coveted role.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rising trend was driven by wellness influencers and raw milk advocates who believe that the pasteurization process destroys bioactives, which are chemicals found in plants and certain foods that promote good health.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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Composting leaves destroys juglone in 6 to 12 months, but hulls take much longer.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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