EXPLODING Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

exploding

verb

present participle of explode

as in detonating

to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in erupting

to develop suddenly and violently the mayor's latest unpopular decision caused long-suppressed resentment to explode into open anger

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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 In August, a fire triggered by an exploding air conditioner killed 14 newborns in a nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Why biomarker testing is exploding right now Patients want more control and faster answers. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026 It's been five months since the residents were forced to flee their homes after one of GKN's chemical tanks, which was holding highly flammable materials, overheated and was at risk of exploding. — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Media Cartographer Evan Shapiro will speak with Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton about his unique take on how the exploding creator economy is impacting the entertainment industry. — William Earl, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026 Custom firmware packages The development scene around the FM-1 is exploding, and new options are appearing all the time. — ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026 Oil prices are at four-year highs, and fuel prices are exploding higher in some parts of the United States. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors said the fire smoldered underground for a week before exploding into the deadly Palisades fire. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The river is a dark brown snake in the distance, with patterns and colors exploding on either side. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding

Verb

Akhtar the author, though, is conducting a stealthy psyop aimed at detonating the certainties of combatants on both sides.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Jentleson compares the power of fusing race and these questions of fairness to detonating a nuclear warhead.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of detonating

Verb

Plus, Skullcandy's Crusher Bass technology utilizes dedicated bass drivers to really give you a head-banging experience, sending bone-shattering bass pulsating through your skull.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
An August heat wave brought record-shattering temperatures to Southern California.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of shattering

Verb

The jet slammed nose-first like a missile into a busy Palm Beach County road, before erupting into flames and sending thick black smoke into the sky, dashcam video shows.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
The telescope's superpower was its ability to swivel swiftly — thus its name — toward erupting celestial events.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of erupting

Verb

Since then, the mobile bookstore has attended well over 100 events, popping up at breweries, fitness centers, book clubs and book fairs across the metro.

— Beret Leone, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Investors voiced growing worry the AI bubble will burst, as concerns mounted over eye-popping capex plans, debt issuance, and expansion.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of popping

Verb

Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police.

— ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
This was the 36th launch and landing for B1063, which notably launched NASA's DART asteroid-smashing mission in November 2021.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of smashing

Verb

Factor in the unmatched joy kids get from putting peppermint bark in a bag and demolishing it with a rolling pin?

— Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 30 Oct. 2026
Following the attack, the Israeli military began forcing Palestinian families to leave their homes in parts of the city as forces began demolishing homes and businesses.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of demolishing

Verb

When a bank of televisions showed horses bursting through the starting gate, feet stomped on the club’s carpet.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
And every few months, a bursting FedEx envelope from Baltimore would appear at my desk at PRH containing Professor Dixon’s typewritten chunks of new and unpublished writing.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of bursting

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explodes

exploding

exploit

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“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploding

verb

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