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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
There could be some relationship turmoil popping up for you now and in the weeks ahead, Gemini.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
Most recently, crews began demolishing the East Wing of the White House.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
First responders in Atlanta rushed to an airport runway Tuesday after an aircraft experienced a harrowing landing failure, with all eight of its landing tires bursting the moment the plane touched down, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And Johnson can’t erase the imagery of poor Cleveland Browns rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham, a top-5 pick, bursting through the B-gap at the snap only to be crushed by guard Jonah Jackson.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share