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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exploding
And to be thrown into now this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.
—
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
To be thrown into, now, this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Two new restaurants will replace old favorites on the Near Southside, more good Tex-Mex is coming to Keller and the dining business is exploding across the Fort Worth area even though older places are closing.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2025
Gaza's immediate needs Palestinians welcomed the relative silence that fell over the enclave after a ceasefire was declared Friday, bringing a halt to the constant hum of drones and exploding bombs.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The suits are never mentioned again, even as Robinson tells elaborate stories about TK Jewelers selling him an exploding watch and L&L Limos using a black piece of plywood to divide the car in half and sell the back of his limo to a guy with a Super Bowl ring.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
The Rio Linda High, Sacramento State and Arizona State product has had a quick start to the 2025 season — exploding for three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday in prime time.
—Mark Billingsley, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Riley had just one run for more than 10 yards in the first half before exploding for a 28-yard carry late in the third quarter on a drive that ended with Gaines’ second touchdown and a 27-17 lead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
In addition to the exploding festival stage, there’s a drunken bachelorette wreck, plus a jaw-dropping boy-with-the-red-balloon moment involving a little girl and a kite.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
To be thrown into, now, this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Two new restaurants will replace old favorites on the Near Southside, more good Tex-Mex is coming to Keller and the dining business is exploding across the Fort Worth area even though older places are closing.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2025
Gaza's immediate needs Palestinians welcomed the relative silence that fell over the enclave after a ceasefire was declared Friday, bringing a halt to the constant hum of drones and exploding bombs.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The suits are never mentioned again, even as Robinson tells elaborate stories about TK Jewelers selling him an exploding watch and L&L Limos using a black piece of plywood to divide the car in half and sell the back of his limo to a guy with a Super Bowl ring.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
The Rio Linda High, Sacramento State and Arizona State product has had a quick start to the 2025 season — exploding for three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday in prime time.
—Mark Billingsley, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Riley had just one run for more than 10 yards in the first half before exploding for a 28-yard carry late in the third quarter on a drive that ended with Gaines’ second touchdown and a 27-17 lead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
In addition to the exploding festival stage, there’s a drunken bachelorette wreck, plus a jaw-dropping boy-with-the-red-balloon moment involving a little girl and a kite.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
-
In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The first of the live-action adaptations arrived in November 2024, shattering box-office records.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The latter outlet, an NBC affiliate, reported that two bullets came through the window of his bedroom, shattering it in the process.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There, the Cougars celebrated by erupting into song.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Thunderstorms erupting in the South and Midwest to kick off the weekend could turn severe and produce dangerous winds, a few tornadoes and heavy rain.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All around Turkey, Farm Bank produce stands were popping up.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Sliding Barn Doors—Especially on Bathrooms Sliding barn doors were one of the most popular design trends of the mid-2000s, popping up in everything from farmhouse-style kitchens to modern bedrooms.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Thieves scaled the facade of the Parisian museum in broad daylight Sunday, using a ladder boosted by a mechanical boom truck and forcing a window open, smashing display cases inside, and making off with a handful of priceless jewels, PEOPLE previously reported.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
D’Angelo found power in this duality, smashing the barriers between the spiritual and the secular, as had so many Black music pioneers before him.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The club simply dominated for nearly the first five months of the season, only to suffer the largest single collapse in major league history, blowing a 15 1/2-game lead on July 8 to lose the AL Central Division pennant to the Cleveland Guardians.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Giants, meanwhile, are coming off a painful defeat to the Denver Broncos, after blowing a 19-0 lead and losing 33-32 on a last-second Denver field goal after missing two PATs of their own, including one with 37 seconds left.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, The Washington Post reported that his construction crews have begun demolishing the facade of the White House’s East Wing to build a ballroom.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The White House is requiring at least some of the construction workers tasked with demolishing the East Wing to sign non-disclosure agreements barring them from discussing their work, according to a White House official and sources familiar with the project.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Amazon’s fashion section is practically bursting at the seams with functional and stylish fall sweaters.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Broncos’ breakout sophomore RB Dylan Riley did his best Ashton Jeanty impression yet, bursting for 201 yards on just 15 carries, his fourth 100-yard day in his last six games.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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