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
Relevance
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
The overlapping relationships between the three, heightened by external narratives in the press and online, fester in isolation, eventually exploding into tragedy.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Yoo thinks the company lost momentum after the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 crisis, when exploding batteries forced a massive recall.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Talcove said the exploding SNAP fraud is due to a lack of action at the state and federal levels.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Early this morning, military installations in Caracas started exploding.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
These two companies fit the bill and their order books are exploding.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
After four seasons of love sausages, exploding body parts, and supes climbing into other people's orifices, this is set to be the finale of all finales.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The fight is happening against a backdrop of exploding import volumes and looming taxes aimed at slowing the flow.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2025
Demand has been exploding, and will continue to do so—and to meet it, utilities must scramble.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Yoo thinks the company lost momentum after the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 crisis, when exploding batteries forced a massive recall.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Talcove said the exploding SNAP fraud is due to a lack of action at the state and federal levels.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Early this morning, military installations in Caracas started exploding.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
These two companies fit the bill and their order books are exploding.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
After four seasons of love sausages, exploding body parts, and supes climbing into other people's orifices, this is set to be the finale of all finales.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
The fight is happening against a backdrop of exploding import volumes and looming taxes aimed at slowing the flow.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 31 Dec. 2025
Demand has been exploding, and will continue to do so—and to meet it, utilities must scramble.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
-
In a post on Telegram, Kiper said a two-story residential building was damaged and that a drone hit an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise building without detonating.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Jayme Thornton Crossfire’s approach of detonating water balloons in midair—which has yet to be patented so the team would not describe it in detail—could eventually change the calculation about how much suppressant is needed to fight fires.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Yet for all of Malinin’s athleticism and his Beamonesque ability to take flight what has been most telling in what has already been a world record-shattering Olympic season has been the maturity of his skating, the willingness to take emotional risks in his programs.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
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Bana and Rocha were among the 615 participants in the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach, shattering the record of 540 set in 2024, and collectively raising more than $20,000 for Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The stadium of his archrival, once silent, was erupting.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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By happenstance, the high risk report was released just as a scandal was erupting in Minnesota over widespread fraud in a program meant to keep children fed during the pandemic.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Several other scarf-like neck pillows have begun popping up, including the Pono Neck Cradle Travel Pillow, $46, and the Vesta Loop Neck Pillow, $50.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
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The booming stock market has produced eye-popping gains, and the 2025 tax-and-spending bill will lead to fatter federal refunds.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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The man accused of smashing windows on Vice President JD Vance's home with a hammer is facing separate prosecutions in state and federal court.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Federal officers fired tear gas Monday to break up a crowd of whistle-blowing bystanders in Minneapolis who showed up to see the aftermath of a car crash involving immigration agents, just a few blocks from where Good was fatally shot.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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San Francisco trailed 17-16 at halftime after blowing an early lead, but took over in the second half to cruise to a 41-23 win.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The move came after the Office of County Administration released December cost estimates for demolishing the building and renovating it.—
John Lomax V,
Houston Chronicle,
7 Jan. 2026
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Fully reopening Leetsdale Drive is contingent on demolishing parts of the charred apartment complex that are still standing, Murphy said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These bold compositions linger in the dense winter air, unfolding slowly rather than bursting with bright notes.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Is your play area bursting at the seams?—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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