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
Peter ultimately takes down his foe and escapes the van just in time before the truck explodes underwater.
—
Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Feb. 2026
The primary issue is that as such a problem grows, the number of possible solutions explodes exponentially to the extent that even quantum computers and supercomputers struggle to keep up.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 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
Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Feb. 2026
The primary issue is that as such a problem grows, the number of possible solutions explodes exponentially to the extent that even quantum computers and supercomputers struggle to keep up.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
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The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Gemma then detonates the device.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This devastating début novel takes the form of an oral history about a tragedy that shatters a family.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And that shatters my heart into a thousand pieces.—
Dan Hyman,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in the late winter after the rains, the color green erupts here!—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
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But until this probable turmoil suddenly erupts to the surface of Russia’s closed society, a collapse still remains a Western hope, rather than a strategy.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a few minutes, a person working with the festival pops his head in to check the temperature.—
Madeline Leung Coleman,
Curbed,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Next, Leaphorn pops by the clinic looking for a gunshot victim.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Flowers and debris go flying as the vehicle then smashes head-on into a tree.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Staff cleans up the sand that blows throughout the season to prevent winds from transferring it onto Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
There would be more victories and blows after Beijing.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 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
-
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2024, a team identified the molecular mechanisms behind the microbe that destroys bananas.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 Feb. 2026
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View gallery - 3 images Watch as a team of drones destroys their target in a demonstration of Fury.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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