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
Down 13 in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Wade fueled an epic comeback win, exploding for 42 points and 13 rebounds, putting the team on his back.
—
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Its schools are ranked among the best in Texas, and the job market is exploding, with jobs in information technology, finance, and healthcare on the rise.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Make it across the 3D pop-up board without exploding, but beware of danger, betrayal, and chaos.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Parents told television stations their children had wounds from being hit in the head, feet and hands by sharp nails and pieces of exploding objects.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Videos taken by onlookers showed flames on the plane’s left wing on the runway, with the aircraft then barely lifting off the ground before crashing and exploding into a huge fireball.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2025
Many of them are desperately struggling to protect their homes – for some, their only source of wealth – in the face of exploding rents and threats of eviction.
—Cassie Powell, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
The moment demands a rage-against-the-machine performance, complete with fireworks and exploding laptops.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Its schools are ranked among the best in Texas, and the job market is exploding, with jobs in information technology, finance, and healthcare on the rise.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Make it across the 3D pop-up board without exploding, but beware of danger, betrayal, and chaos.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Parents told television stations their children had wounds from being hit in the head, feet and hands by sharp nails and pieces of exploding objects.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Videos taken by onlookers showed flames on the plane’s left wing on the runway, with the aircraft then barely lifting off the ground before crashing and exploding into a huge fireball.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2025
Many of them are desperately struggling to protect their homes – for some, their only source of wealth – in the face of exploding rents and threats of eviction.
—Cassie Powell, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025
The moment demands a rage-against-the-machine performance, complete with fireworks and exploding laptops.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Two Massachusetts men arrested in connection with an explosion Saturday at Harvard University are accused of detonating a firework inside a laboratory locker in a medical building, federal authorities said Tuesday.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
4 Nov. 2025
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Poseidon had been described as a doomsday weapon that is designed to create a massive radioactive tsunami by detonating near coastal targets.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When a world-shattering event turns most of the global population into a friendly hive mind, Carol sets out to protect her individuality.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
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But this average-looking citizen could become almost anything, throwing himself into roles with shattering power.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Since Assad’s ousting, Syria has seen flare-ups of deadly sectarian violence, with clashes erupting between security forces and those loyal to the former president, including in Syria’s coastal Latakia region in March.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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Moments later, the plane’s left wing reportedly caught fire and an engine detached, sending the wide-body freighter crashing to the ground and erupting into a fireball.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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After popping up in Batman Forever (1995), Empire Records (1995), and The Insider (1999), Mazar found a semi-permanent home as Vincent Chase’s publicist on Entourage (2004–2011).—
Maggie Fremont,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Within a few years of leaving Texas, Rauschenberg had upended everything the place had meant to him, smashing through the parochialism of small-town Southern life, where necks were broken in Jesus’ name, and families indentured or murdered.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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The role would typically involve smashing a bottle of champagne against the bow before sending the vessel out on its maiden voyage.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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What To Know In , the Kuskokwim Delta Coast and Nunivak Island are expected to see blowing snow and strong southeasterly winds from early Sunday morning through the afternoon.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The military showed us a map of Hamas tunnel routes Israeli forces are still discovering and demolishing in the area.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
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Most recently, crews began demolishing the East Wing of the White House.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Flowers bloom all over the city, from fragrant jasmine to hot pink petals bursting from Judas trees.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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While images of retinas bursting with color and a dove flapping its wings on an outstretched human hand looped behind them, the two allowed the crowd to grow denser while bobbing along to their rhythms.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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