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
Video shows moment Blue Origin rocket explodes What is the New Glenn rocket?
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, 108 minutes Samara Weaving returns to her breakout role as Grace MacCaullay in a sequel that explodes the concept of the original 2019 thriller — in which Grace is hunted by the family of her fiancé as part of a satanic ritual — to create its own mythology.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 May 2026
As Meiko, a quiet single mom with a penchant for knitting like a cheerful Madame DeFarge, Moone embodies Meiko’s optimism, which, as the situation escalates, explodes into an everybody’s-thinking-it-but-no-one-wants-to-say-it, show-stopping monologue.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Occasionally, when conditions are just right, their population explodes, said Stuart Weiss, a conservation ecologist and chief scientist at Creekside Science in Los Gatos.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
The fire authority released a blast zone map Saturday outlining areas that could be impacted if the tank explodes.
—Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
As the realization that nothing—or no one—will be enough overcomes the final bridge, a flurry of drums gallop in and the track explodes into fireworks as Rodrigo screams her guts out.
—Quinn Moreland, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Glass explodes from every window; the air turns cold; lights flicker and die.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
After 10 years of dormancy, the desert explodes with color, attracting visitors and pollinators alike.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, 108 minutes Samara Weaving returns to her breakout role as Grace MacCaullay in a sequel that explodes the concept of the original 2019 thriller — in which Grace is hunted by the family of her fiancé as part of a satanic ritual — to create its own mythology.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 May 2026
As Meiko, a quiet single mom with a penchant for knitting like a cheerful Madame DeFarge, Moone embodies Meiko’s optimism, which, as the situation escalates, explodes into an everybody’s-thinking-it-but-no-one-wants-to-say-it, show-stopping monologue.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Occasionally, when conditions are just right, their population explodes, said Stuart Weiss, a conservation ecologist and chief scientist at Creekside Science in Los Gatos.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
The fire authority released a blast zone map Saturday outlining areas that could be impacted if the tank explodes.
—Nina Giraldo, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
As the realization that nothing—or no one—will be enough overcomes the final bridge, a flurry of drums gallop in and the track explodes into fireworks as Rodrigo screams her guts out.
—Quinn Moreland, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
Glass explodes from every window; the air turns cold; lights flicker and die.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
After 10 years of dormancy, the desert explodes with color, attracting visitors and pollinators alike.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 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
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The two commit to a duel, each agreeing to fire their guns when a bottle of champagne rolls off the bar and shatters on the floor.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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This type of error creates friction and shatters trust.—
Jerry Haywood,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Of course, the commercial ends in climactic fashion, as He-Man lifts Skeletor above his head for the grand finale and the sorcerer erupts into his legendary cackle.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
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Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
German is the most prevalent, but French is the default in the west of the country, Italian in the south (nearest to the borders of those countries), while Romansh is more obscure and pops up in a couple of cantons (states, or counties) towards the east.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Anna Faris pops in an electric blue dress during a visit to Despierta America in Doral, Florida, on May 28.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
Kyle Busch smashes a guitar in victory lane!—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
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The fuel-saving engine start-stop system is also transparent, and the air conditioning blows ice cold, even when the gasoline engine is off.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
And in a recurring gag, Nate blows an air horn to get people’s attention.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 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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Then comes the eruption of a giant, bright fireball that destroys the rocket and its launchpad.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
-
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that a person needs to walk, talk, swallow and breathe, according to the ALS Assn.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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