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
Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.
—
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Directed by Roc Espinet, who’s adapted his own graphic novel of the same name to the screen, the film tells how Paula’s simple, innocent life in a medieval village explodes after a bloody attack by wolves.
—Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
Birmingham reunites with Dutton in Marshals and is injured in the first episode when a bomb explodes during a protest at the Broken Rock reservation.
—Peter White, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
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
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Feb. 2026
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Directed by Roc Espinet, who’s adapted his own graphic novel of the same name to the screen, the film tells how Paula’s simple, innocent life in a medieval village explodes after a bloody attack by wolves.
—Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
Birmingham reunites with Dutton in Marshals and is injured in the first episode when a bomb explodes during a protest at the Broken Rock reservation.
—Peter White, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
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
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
-
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
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But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The glass shatters with a spray that shimmers in the lantern light.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As debate erupts over its true authorship, Catherine must confront the power of legacy, and the cost of proving herself.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Those plans become reality when the volcano erupts, and all hell breaks loose.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to the main cast of characters, the hilarious Annie Mumolo pops up as Walter’s droll and exasperated assistant, and Rory Scovel is the bumbling, small-town cop.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
An image then pops up on the scoreboard rendering a final verdict.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 9,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This weekend’s attack on Iran smashes through those limits altogether.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
-
At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cop’s head.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The action Both teams traded blows early in the action, with the Cardinals jumping out to an early lead following a 10-0 spurt – familiar from last Saturday’s matchup.—
Hunter Bailey,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
If Ebikitie blows his market away, Dre'Mont Jones offers a perfect fallback option.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 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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However, the harsh radiation inside such nebulae normally destroys fragile compounds, making the survival of volatile ice extremely unlikely.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Brown destroys man coverage, threatens all three levels of the field and can rack up yards after the catch.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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