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
Finally, should the government have more control over the exploding field of artificial intelligence?
—
CBS News, 7 June 2026
This means black holes go out with a bang, with lower-mass PBHs exploding at different epochs of the universe.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The second Starship test flight occurred about seven months later, in November 2023, aligning with Blue Origin's hopeful timeline for LC-36, but damage from the power of a rocket's engines, and damage from that entire rocket exploding on the launchpad are different levels of destruction.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Crucial events morphed into massive set pieces, like Louis hunting down Claudia’s killers by setting their theater on fire, exploding the motorcycles of the vampires who fled the inferno, and eventually bursting out of a manhole to behead Claudia’s main tormenter.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The remnants were a potent reminder of the untold damage resulting from Blue Origin's towering New Glenn rocket exploding May 28 in a dramatic fireball that shook much of Florida.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The overall market for CPUs is exploding into what Huang says will be a $200 billion industry.
—Katie Tarasov,kif Leswing, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Right now, Martha's Bedford farm is exploding with colorful blooms and lush foliage, especially her herbaceous peony garden.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
CBS News, 7 June 2026
This means black holes go out with a bang, with lower-mass PBHs exploding at different epochs of the universe.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The second Starship test flight occurred about seven months later, in November 2023, aligning with Blue Origin's hopeful timeline for LC-36, but damage from the power of a rocket's engines, and damage from that entire rocket exploding on the launchpad are different levels of destruction.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Crucial events morphed into massive set pieces, like Louis hunting down Claudia’s killers by setting their theater on fire, exploding the motorcycles of the vampires who fled the inferno, and eventually bursting out of a manhole to behead Claudia’s main tormenter.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The remnants were a potent reminder of the untold damage resulting from Blue Origin's towering New Glenn rocket exploding May 28 in a dramatic fireball that shook much of Florida.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The overall market for CPUs is exploding into what Huang says will be a $200 billion industry.
—Katie Tarasov,kif Leswing, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Right now, Martha's Bedford farm is exploding with colorful blooms and lush foliage, especially her herbaceous peony garden.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Investigators found that Aliji intended to drive a Volkswagen Beetle equipped with fake police sirens and flashing blue lights toward crowds outside the venue before detonating explosives concealed inside a Red Bull can.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Its material originated during October 1977 sessions at Memphis’ Ardent Studios, where the original lineup — the late Lux Interior, Poison Ivy, Bryan Gregory and Nick Knox — worked with Chilton shortly before detonating the underground rock landscape.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the prairie there would be lightning that evening, dropping in shattering bolts from swollen purple clouds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Renowned for his defense-shattering runs, vision, and dribbling, his time at FC Barcelona was legendary.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But things went sideways quickly, with the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36 erupting in a fireball.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
-
Footage of the incident shows the rocket erupting into a massive fireball, sending towering flames and thick smoke into the night sky.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The 21-year-old slugger has hit four homers in 28 games and 109 plate appearances this year, popping one in each of his last two games.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
My colleague Christopher Reynolds reported that, as of May, northbound traffic at Ragged Point, the southern gateway to Big Sur, has risen an eye-popping 900% year-over-year, and local businesses are experiencing their busiest summer in years.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Video shows a gang of Pokémon card thieves smashing display cases at a New Jersey hobby store and filling a trash bag with thousands of dollars worth of collectibles, according to police.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
In 2016, voters were asked to choose between a populist candidate dogged by questions about his integrity, judgment, decency, civility, empathy, and respect for everyone from complete strangers to his own wife, and an overqualified, glass-ceiling-smashing woman.—
Shannon A. Mullen,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Whenever your outfit feels a little plain, these goodies will inject some welcome personality—all without blowing a hole in your budget.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
8 June 2026
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Another dramatic scene from West Virginia showed wind blowing a tent across a lawn, and dragging several people along with it, during a college basketball game between West Virginia University and Cal Poly.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Indeed, many media observers—inside and outside the network—have gone so far as to suggest that demolishing the status quo seems to be central to Weiss’s mandate.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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In February 2024, police gave him and his wife minutes to pack before demolishing their home.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Dishes use local produce but combine them with Asian ingredients for a light meal that’s bursting with flavors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
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But with Skydance’s reputation for quality game titles and Paramount’s vast library, there’s potential to carve out a space in a market that’s crowded to the point of bursting.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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