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
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
Directed by Sam Wrench, the Eras Tour film explodes with grandeur, showcasing intricate stage setups, dazzling ensembles, and Swift's ever-sweet theatricality while matching the energy of the live stadium experience.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Other studies tracked how large fields tend to slow their rate of conceptual innovation over time, even as the volume of papers explodes.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Jan. 2026
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
Directed by Sam Wrench, the Eras Tour film explodes with grandeur, showcasing intricate stage setups, dazzling ensembles, and Swift's ever-sweet theatricality while matching the energy of the live stadium experience.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Other studies tracked how large fields tend to slow their rate of conceptual innovation over time, even as the volume of papers explodes.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
-
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
-
One agent opens the back-seat door as the car begins to move; another shatters her passenger-side window.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Bradford pear shatters easily at the trunk due to the branch angles, Zampini says.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When a rebellion erupts between Earth and its colonies, the ensuing conflict is fought by pilots in massive mechanized contraptions known as mobile suits.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The president posted a short video that day on social media that shows a missile targeting a ship, which erupts in flame.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
His eldest daughter, Addison, 23, pops in at one point to wave at the Zoom screen.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Sparkling Orange Nº1, a low-intervention, organic orange (orange colored due to skin contact, no oranges used) bubbly from Alsace that pops with orange peel and juicy peach, then drifts into jasmine, herbs, and gentle spice.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Mickey smashes the broom, each piece becomes a new water-fetching runaway robot.—
Bipul Sinha,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
If the spud bar smashes through, a person could too.—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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An observer, with a capital O, with hard hands, is somebody that stands on the corner of their community and blows the whistle and makes a noise.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
29 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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If the infection is not contained by the body’s immune response, the bacteria destroys lung tissue which can trigger chest pain and coughing up of mucus or blood.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
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For individual cellular damage, your body either repairs it or destroys the cell and replaces it.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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