explodes

verb

present tense third-person singular of explode
1
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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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

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 The accusation rumbles, then explodes locally, drawing in authorities and prompting an investigation. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Most is in the form of subatomic particles called neutrinos, which carry little energy individually but are generated in vast numbers when a star explodes. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 Reacher explodes into action, kicking over a table, executing a backward roll into the guy behind him while handcuffed, then redirecting that guy’s tranq gun against the other Men in Black. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 That first bump hits Tony with such a rush that the soundtrack explodes with boogielicious disco. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Continue reading … VIRUS RECKONING — COVID fury explodes as Fauci hearing revives 'insane' lockdown nightmare tales. — FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 Every other year, the sleepy Hampshire town of Farnborough explodes in cosmopolitan confusion as exhibitors, delegates, industrial giants, politicians, media, and visitors estimated at 120,000 descend over a five-day period. — David Szondy july 23, New Atlas, 23 July 2026 The risk still explodes when proper people and processes aren't in place to properly triage and patch real vulnerabilities that can affect your organization. — Rj Friedman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 New Glenn explodes on launch pad in Florida The news comes about a month after the New Glenn rocket exploded in Florida, dealing severe damage to the surrounding infrastructure in Cape Canaveral. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
  1. detonates
  2. shatters
  3. erupts
  4. pops
  5. smashes
  6. blows
  7. demolishes
  8. destroys
Verb
  • If the ammunition detonates after penetration, the explosion is directed away from the crew compartment, significantly improving the crew’s chances of survival.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of detonates
Verb
  • But when a killer shatters the peace, Annie is faced with the task of confronting everyone’s collective trauma, while being thrown headfirst into a nightmare.
    — Alaina Urquhart, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … RAISING THE BAR — ICE shatters all-time mark with a jaw-dropping 51,000 arrests in July.
    — , FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatters
Verb
  • Brouhaha erupts Martin was ejected in the third inning Thursday after throwing two pitches at the head of Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, who had homered in the first inning.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • If Yellowstone erupts again, the most probable outcome is not a continent-spanning explosion.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of erupts
Verb
  • The Jaws reference pops up again during one of Tom’s town hall staff meetings.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Dark circles happen, acne pops up, and dark spots can even appear despite diligent sunscreen use.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pops
Verb
  • That is less than half as many as the set that produced many of his signature smashes and turned him into a chart-topper.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For now, Paramount isn’t producing the billion-dollar box office smashes that drive millions of butts into theater seats (not to mention robust sales of novelty popcorn buckets).
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of smashes
Verb
  • But first, the premiere settles the audience into a tried and true cop drama with power struggles over jurisdiction, a local militia led by a man with his own agenda, and a suspect who literally blows the case wide open.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The next chance of showers and storms arrives Thursday and lingers through the end of the workweek as much muggier-feeling weather blows back into Maryland.
    — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of blows
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    — Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of demolishes
Verb
  • T cells, a type of immune cell that detects and destroys infected or abnormal cells, normally perform this inspection.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The white dwarf emits radiation and produces a giant gas bubble—the lion’s face—that destroys dust in its path.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroys

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exploded
explodes
exploding
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Cite this Entry

“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of explodes for Spanish Speakers

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