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
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.
—
Stephan Lendi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Conclave feels like a very architectural, sparse, mathematical film, [whereas] Ballad felt to me like a chaotic pop opera that explodes at the seams.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The family’s life explodes after a stunning revelation Aaron and Heather Spencer live on a farm near Cabot, a city of about 27,000 people some 25 miles from the state capital of Little Rock.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
The ball explodes off his foot.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Inside, Isaac-Slurp regains consciousness and then everything explodes.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Just about everything explodes along the way.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
The gas main catches fire and the house explodes, killing Mirren, Johnny and Gat.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
Stephan Lendi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Conclave feels like a very architectural, sparse, mathematical film, [whereas] Ballad felt to me like a chaotic pop opera that explodes at the seams.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The family’s life explodes after a stunning revelation Aaron and Heather Spencer live on a farm near Cabot, a city of about 27,000 people some 25 miles from the state capital of Little Rock.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
The ball explodes off his foot.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Inside, Isaac-Slurp regains consciousness and then everything explodes.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Just about everything explodes along the way.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
The gas main catches fire and the house explodes, killing Mirren, Johnny and Gat.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
-
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
-
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the Browns win a game, any game, the entire city erupts in joy.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Charlie Carrasco always attends Wave home games, cheering, asking if the team is winning, and joining in when the crowd erupts.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Macaroni and cheese is Drew Barrymore’s favorite meal and pops up frequently on her talk show.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
-
What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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In the United Kingdom, as fans wait for something new from the global pop star, one of her earlier career smashes returns to the top 40 and becomes a bestseller again.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What happens if this group blows a few late leads early in this season?—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Producing traditional paper destroys trees and is resource-intensive, requiring up to 13 liters of water for every page made.—
Sandy Ong,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In those situations, the team typically takes the potentially explosive item to a remote area and destroys it, just to be safe, Putthoff said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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