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
Such reactions come despite the drugs’ exploding popularity.
—
Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 9 May 2026
The professional game is exploding, too.
—Robin Swithinbank, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
The conference sparked hope for Intel — not because of any great technical progress, but because Huang spoke about future exploding demand for CPUs.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Cigarette mountains, exploding drum kits, grimy city streets and televisions tossed from windows flash by in rapid succession.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2026
Longtime critics of subways used the explosion to stoke community fears that tunneling would lead to exploding homes.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
While the rest of the industry spends billions trying to stop batteries from exploding, PolyJoule built one that refuses to even stay lit.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Cancer patients are multiplying faster than oncologists, Laraki said, and costs, too, are exploding.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 6 May 2026
Sports betting is exploding, so sports stations sell a ton of advertising to the betting apps, even without big ratings.
—Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 9 May 2026
The professional game is exploding, too.
—Robin Swithinbank, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
The conference sparked hope for Intel — not because of any great technical progress, but because Huang spoke about future exploding demand for CPUs.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Cigarette mountains, exploding drum kits, grimy city streets and televisions tossed from windows flash by in rapid succession.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2026
Longtime critics of subways used the explosion to stoke community fears that tunneling would lead to exploding homes.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
While the rest of the industry spends billions trying to stop batteries from exploding, PolyJoule built one that refuses to even stay lit.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Cancer patients are multiplying faster than oncologists, Laraki said, and costs, too, are exploding.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 6 May 2026
Sports betting is exploding, so sports stations sell a ton of advertising to the betting apps, even without big ratings.
—Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Two Massachusetts men have pleaded guilty to breaking into Harvard Medical School and detonating fireworks last Halloween night, a crime that caught the eye of FBI Director Kash Patel.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And some advanced mines have counters that will let a certain number of ships pass before detonating.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Throughout its run, the production has become a box office phenomenon, repeatedly shattering house records and becoming the first show in the venue's 121-year history to gross more than $1 million in a single week.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
In what was undoubtedly earth shattering news for anyone with a tattoo of a chef's knife on their forearm, the trailer for the Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, dropped this week.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Will scientists ever be able to say that a week from now, a certain volcano has an 80% chance of erupting in a particular way — with lava gushing, with a certain explosive force, with pyroclastic flows that will travel down its western flank?—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
Mount Dukono is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes and has been erupting almost continuously since 1933.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Does Link have a pill-popping problem now?—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
One of the major keys to popping curls is a healthy scalp, and this two-in-one cleanser and scrub keeps roots and follicles in prime condition so hair can flourish.—
Aimee Simeon,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Surveillance video captured the assault, which showed the victim being repeatedly struck in the head with a hammer after confronting the suspect for smashing her car window.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
My hand was in a lot of pain from smashing the cane everywhere.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The music is eclectic and often gorgeous, the emotional intensity still capable of blowing all else away.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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Think of the way the path smells ahead of you, think of the freedom the wind is blowing your way.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
-
The Preakness is taking place at Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington this spring while its longtime home, Pimlico Race Course, is rebuilt as part of a massive construction project that included demolishing the debilitating old structure.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Nobody’s certain how many visitors will materialize for the anniversary year, but the shop is bursting with merchandise.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
From fresh guacamole to flavorful enchiladas, everything is made with care and bursting with flavor.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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