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
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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
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
Vann instantly explodes, then runs off into the distance, making it across the street before collapsing to the ground where a resident tried to help him with damp towels.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Vann instantly explodes, then runs off into the distance, making it across the street before collapsing to the ground where a resident tried to help him with damp towels.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 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
-
As the village erupts into full-scale panic, the emergency evolves into a darker mystery, forcing the cop to confront a seemingly impossible reality.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
-
As a cop tries the door to the basement with keys given to him by the suspect’s estranged wife, an explosion erupts.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After Trevor strolls back to his muscle car and drives away, Easton pops up, curious as to who that was.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
11 May 2026
-
But don’t rule them out of buying more if there’s one that pops.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Alas, Shao Khan smashes Cole’s head with a hammer, Gallagher style, and shoves his body into a vat of acid.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Maybe a sleek ship is being chased by enemy fighters through a dense asteroid field, and one of them smashes into a massive space rock and is explosively atomized.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 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 15 May. 2026.
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