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 neoliberal revolution, driven by former President Ronald Reagan in the United States and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the United Kingdom, expanded capital markets enough to create whole new industries out of manipulating financial instruments; thus, exploding the finance industry.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
With satellites orbiting the Earth exploding into tens of thousands of pieces, the danger of collisions with space debris is a major problem, so Atomic-6 has developed new Space Armor tiles that are lighter and more effective than current systems.
—David Szondy
october 26, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
The Beatles—consisting of late founder, singer and rhythm guitarist John Lennon, Paul McCartney, late lead guitarist George Harrison and drummer Ringo Starr—rose to fame in the United Kingdom in 1963 before exploding in popularity in 1964 on in the United States.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Time in the age of screens was rapidly changing, brazenly commercializing, exploding into bits and then getting distributed across multiple venues and devices.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Black smoke and flames began to fully envelop the front of the vehicle and both front tires could even be seen exploding.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The Kom legend of the exploding lake during the rainy season comes to mind.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Hegseth included video surveillance that showed the boat being struck and exploding.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
And to be thrown into now this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
With satellites orbiting the Earth exploding into tens of thousands of pieces, the danger of collisions with space debris is a major problem, so Atomic-6 has developed new Space Armor tiles that are lighter and more effective than current systems.
—David Szondy
october 26, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
The Beatles—consisting of late founder, singer and rhythm guitarist John Lennon, Paul McCartney, late lead guitarist George Harrison and drummer Ringo Starr—rose to fame in the United Kingdom in 1963 before exploding in popularity in 1964 on in the United States.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Time in the age of screens was rapidly changing, brazenly commercializing, exploding into bits and then getting distributed across multiple venues and devices.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Black smoke and flames began to fully envelop the front of the vehicle and both front tires could even be seen exploding.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The Kom legend of the exploding lake during the rainy season comes to mind.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Hegseth included video surveillance that showed the boat being struck and exploding.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
And to be thrown into now this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement The past few years have seen record-shattering global sea surface temperatures, which helps strengthen storms.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Viewers are dropped into the aftermath of an unnamed personal conflict and must work out over the course of the runtime the stakes of the situation, a highwire act handled deftly by the actors whose tender performances provide the emotional impact of the film’s shattering final sequence.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There, the Cougars celebrated by erupting into song.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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Thunderstorms erupting in the South and Midwest to kick off the weekend could turn severe and produce dangerous winds, a few tornadoes and heavy rain.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All around Turkey, Farm Bank produce stands were popping up.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Sliding Barn Doors—Especially on Bathrooms Sliding barn doors were one of the most popular design trends of the mid-2000s, popping up in everything from farmhouse-style kitchens to modern bedrooms.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While some were able to escape by smashing windows and jumping out of the vehicle, which was carrying 44 passengers, others were fatally burned, the officer said.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Once the Germans invaded their Soviet ally on June 22, 1941, smashing one division after another, the Soviets had to fight for their survival, and all thought of nuclear research was abandoned.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The club simply dominated for nearly the first five months of the season, only to suffer the largest single collapse in major league history, blowing a 15 1/2-game lead on July 8 to lose the AL Central Division pennant to the Cleveland Guardians.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Giants, meanwhile, are coming off a painful defeat to the Denver Broncos, after blowing a 19-0 lead and losing 33-32 on a last-second Denver field goal after missing two PATs of their own, including one with 37 seconds left.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, The Washington Post reported that his construction crews have begun demolishing the facade of the White House’s East Wing to build a ballroom.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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The White House is requiring at least some of the construction workers tasked with demolishing the East Wing to sign non-disclosure agreements barring them from discussing their work, according to a White House official and sources familiar with the project.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There were flower shops spilling roses onto the sidewalk and bakery windows bursting with éclairs.—
Danielle Postel-Vinay,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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Worries have been climbing that AI may be in the midst of a bubble, similar to the dot-com bonanza that ended up bursting in 2000.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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