1
as in detonating
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 shattering
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 erupting
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 exploding
Rising temperature Officials said on Sunday that the failing pressurized Orange County tank — filled with a toxic chemical and at risk of exploding — had reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the maximum reading on the gauge.
—
Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
The ships are exploding in flames, sending smoke plumes and human bodies into the air and water.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Los Alamitos is less than four miles from GKN Aerospace, the facility where crews have been working since Friday to try to keep the overheating storage tank from exploding or cracking.
—Kevin Modesti, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Babies being lifted like trophies, lampposts climbed and fireworks exploding – and all of this on a Tuesday night when Arsenal hadn’t even been playing.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.
—Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Revisiting the groundbreaking feminist performance art movement in 1970s Los Angeles, one artist spotlights the inspirational, transformational, radical community exploding the narrative and status quo.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Last year’s summer booking rate in Mexico's capital was $170 before exploding to an average of $595, a 252% increase.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The Wonderfools ends in an epic, two-part finale that sees Chae-ni and her friends trying to stop the Church of Eternal Salvation from exploding a blimp of chemicals over the entire town.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026
Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
The ships are exploding in flames, sending smoke plumes and human bodies into the air and water.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Los Alamitos is less than four miles from GKN Aerospace, the facility where crews have been working since Friday to try to keep the overheating storage tank from exploding or cracking.
—Kevin Modesti, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Babies being lifted like trophies, lampposts climbed and fireworks exploding – and all of this on a Tuesday night when Arsenal hadn’t even been playing.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.
—Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Revisiting the groundbreaking feminist performance art movement in 1970s Los Angeles, one artist spotlights the inspirational, transformational, radical community exploding the narrative and status quo.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Last year’s summer booking rate in Mexico's capital was $170 before exploding to an average of $595, a 252% increase.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The Wonderfools ends in an epic, two-part finale that sees Chae-ni and her friends trying to stop the Church of Eternal Salvation from exploding a blimp of chemicals over the entire town.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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One culminated last year with abject disaster, with Karl Lysinger detonating his Oak Park house and dying in the process, months after the home was auctioned.—
Graham Womack
May 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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Cody Brundage's 44-second R2 knockout over Andre Petroski was the fastest of the night, and Khaos Williams returned to form by detonating a right hand on Nikolay Veretennikov for a vintage first-round TKO.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Third, Ukrainian drone strikes are catalyzing profound morale issues within Russia itself, methodically shattering the illusion of domestic security cultivated by the Kremlin, as the Kremlin tightens its grip over society, including through the suspension of popular messaging apps such as Telegram.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
23 May 2026
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Such an explosion could release energy comparable to a small nuclear weapon, creating a powerful shockwave capable of shattering windows and causing localized damage over a wide area.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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During research for the study in May 2024, scientists detected several enormous flares erupting on the far side of the sun, hidden from Earth’s direct view.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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The spacecraft reached its final destination — the Indian Ocean — despite some engine trouble, before erupting in flames upon impact.—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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In sync with her inspiration, Maccapani Missoni also played with blurred and watercolor effects, patterns evoking seaweed and deep-sea plants, as well as fish- or pearl-shaped details popping along the necklines, for example.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
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All that, plus Liev Schreiber as a pill-popping philanderer named Tag, Dakota Fanning in pregnancy prosthetics, and Donna Lynne Champlin as the beleaguered detective trying to solve the murder.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Verb
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With the help of White and Daniels, Colbert, with permission from the studio, started smashing up the old set, threw the pieces away into a dumpster, and lit it on fire — thanks to the approval of their fire Marshall (Mathers).—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
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Richemont’s division, which includes Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati, grew 16% in Q4 — smashing expectations of an 11% uplift and surpassing the previous quarter, when jewelry sales grew 14%.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Officials are planning for the risk of the chemical blowing into other areas.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
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Anika Reed Latin music superstar Maluma opted for a dapper Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing USA TODAY a kiss before exiting the carpet.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Indeed, back in the 1990s and 2000s, municipalities across the country were happily demolishing Brutalist eyesores made to house the poor.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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The work included demolishing one stand entirely to create the space required to facilitate those media demands.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In fact, there were a lot of pretty curiosities to ogle at, bursting with color and fun costume-party energy (note the many party hats).—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
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Poking holes in potatoes helps steam escape but is rarely necessary to prevent bursting.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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