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
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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
Sources say Doomsday is exploding on long-lead tracking.
—
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
And these are people that are living where the bombs are exploding.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Jaquez played one of the best games of her career in the title game, exploding for 21 points, including dagger 3-pointers in the second half that pushed the Bruins' lead to more than 30.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Two nights after exploding for a career-high 51 points, Flagg’s sensational performance was the main reason the Mavericks snapped a 14-game home losing streak in a 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 5 Apr. 2026
Ponson had heard the lore of fast-developing storms in the northern Gulf — systems that escaped the notice of meteorologists — before exploding into near-gale winds, towering waves and rare but deadly storms.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
But Explosive News’ videos might be the world’s most potent example of slopaganda yet, changing hearts and minds—or at least generating lots of clicks—one exploding toy battleship at a time.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
This includes, but is not limited to, fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
And these are people that are living where the bombs are exploding.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Jaquez played one of the best games of her career in the title game, exploding for 21 points, including dagger 3-pointers in the second half that pushed the Bruins' lead to more than 30.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Two nights after exploding for a career-high 51 points, Flagg’s sensational performance was the main reason the Mavericks snapped a 14-game home losing streak in a 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 5 Apr. 2026
Ponson had heard the lore of fast-developing storms in the northern Gulf — systems that escaped the notice of meteorologists — before exploding into near-gale winds, towering waves and rare but deadly storms.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
But Explosive News’ videos might be the world’s most potent example of slopaganda yet, changing hearts and minds—or at least generating lots of clicks—one exploding toy battleship at a time.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
This includes, but is not limited to, fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Named after the infamous Japanese suicide pilots of World War II, these kinds of drones can actively hunt for targets, track them, and then ram into them, detonating their explosive payloads.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
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To kick-start the program, Teller wanted to create an instant harbor by burying, and then detonating, five thermonuclear bombs in an Indigenous village in coastal northwestern Alaska.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump has gone far toward shattering what’s left of America’s global stature.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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The auction comes just weeks after David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster sold for a record-shattering $14,550,000.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Video from inside the cabin shows passengers erupting into cheers and applause, some shouting in relief after the aircraft came to a stop.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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On social media, Italian fans were disgusted by the performance, erupting into a meltdown rarely seen.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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OpenClaw conferences are popping up around the world.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The offices and high-rises that are popping up and bringing in a younger clientele weren’t yet there to block out the sun.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In footage shared by the BBC on X, Medvedev, who suffered a 6-0 6-0 loss during the 49-minute match, was filmed smashing up his tennis racket six times and angrily tossing it across the court.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
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At the nearly 17-mile-long circular particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) that sits deep below the French Alps, CERN scientists recreated the quark-gluon plasma by smashing together atomic nuclei of iron at near-light speed.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Videos captured the scene, which included people blowing whistles and horns, and neighbors screaming at more than a dozen gun-toting agents to leave Thao's family alone.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Videos captured the scene, which included people blowing whistles and horns, and neighbors screaming at more than a dozen gun-toting agents to leave Thao’s family alone.—
Mark Vancleave,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The musician and fashion mogul began the process of demolishing the architectural gem, completely stripping its electricity, plumbing, bathrooms, and windows.—
India Roby,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Michigan basketball team is headed to the NCAA national championship game Monday night after demolishing Arizona 93-71 in the Final Four on Saturday in Indianapolis.—
Brian Manzullo,
Freep.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This vibrant city is a foodie’s sanctuary, a shopper’s delight, and a cultural hub bursting with museums, galleries and cafes.—
Kalpana Fitzpatrick,
TheWeek,
15 Apr. 2026
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My heart is constantly bursting open, while also breaking into a million pieces.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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