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
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
Or somehow go back and manipulate the past to stop the super-volcano from exploding?
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
But the affordability backlash is on the brink of exploding in another sector of the economy, where the AI boom is already raising the price of consumer electronics.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The deals are exploding all over Amazon's Big Spring Sale, and all of the top computer brands are getting in on the action.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
The agency’s rules touch virtually every facet of transportation safety, including regulations that keep airplanes in the sky, prevent gas pipelines from exploding and stop freight trains carrying toxic chemicals from skidding off the rails.
—Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
But all of this is also bringing up personal feelings Mel has about her own life, and at a time when everything is exploding all around her.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Or somehow go back and manipulate the past to stop the super-volcano from exploding?
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
But the affordability backlash is on the brink of exploding in another sector of the economy, where the AI boom is already raising the price of consumer electronics.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The deals are exploding all over Amazon's Big Spring Sale, and all of the top computer brands are getting in on the action.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
The agency’s rules touch virtually every facet of transportation safety, including regulations that keep airplanes in the sky, prevent gas pipelines from exploding and stop freight trains carrying toxic chemicals from skidding off the rails.
—Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
But all of this is also bringing up personal feelings Mel has about her own life, and at a time when everything is exploding all around her.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 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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But customers should not expect earth-shattering menu changes.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
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With large hailstones capable of shattering windshields and denting vehicles, meteorologists are urging residents to move cars into garages, covered parking areas or sheltered spots.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 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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The Bronx natives say popping up in the bodega was the natural choice.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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Bodnar said popping noises lasted for about 90 seconds.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maces, which were little more than rocks mounted on sticks, had questionable value as hunting tools, but they were superbly suited for smashing the bones and skulls of other humans.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Charging forward, Tuanzebe met the ball as its arc fell just in front of the goal, smashing it for a 1-0 lead.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The city did not adopt its own grocery tax to replace it, blowing a roughly $80 million hole in its budget.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Plans call for demolishing the three-story former office building on the site and constructing a single-story, 30-foot-tall building containing approximately 26,000 square feet of event space, according to information shared by the village.—
Jennifer Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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The city’s long-term plan calls for demolishing the existing facility and replacing it with a new permanent building.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the dotcom era, the economists explained, the economy reflected the latter scenario, where gains failed to show, bursting the bubble.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
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Lendeborg today feels like an overnight sensation, bursting on the scene in his maize-and-blue out of nowhere.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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