EXPLODES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

explodes

verb

present tense third-person singular of explode

as in detonates

to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in erupts

to develop suddenly and violently the mayor's latest unpopular decision caused long-suppressed resentment to explode into open anger

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of explodes An incoming projectile explodes over the water in the bay of Haifa off of the northern Israeli coastal city on February 28, 2026. —

Emma Graham, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026 The next morning, Carolyn explodes under the pressure of her own rage. —

Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 This expelled matter then forms a Wolf–Rayet nebula before the star itself eventually explodes as a supernova. —

Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes

Verb

But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.

— Christopher Anderson, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026