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
The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drift to the ground nearby.
—
Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.
—Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Due to season 1 ending with this love triangle exploding, and the focus on Allie and Dean throughout, some fans have wondered if season 2 might diverge from the book order and focus on Dean next.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Revisiting the groundbreaking feminist performance art movement in 1970s Los Angeles, one artist spotlights the inspirational, transformational, radical community exploding the narrative and status quo.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Last year’s summer booking rate in Mexico's capital was $170 before exploding to an average of $595, a 252% increase.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The Wonderfools ends in an epic, two-part finale that sees Chae-ni and her friends trying to stop the Church of Eternal Salvation from exploding a blimp of chemicals over the entire town.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026
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
Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
The aircraft then fall to the ground before exploding, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.
—Greg Wehner , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Due to season 1 ending with this love triangle exploding, and the focus on Allie and Dean throughout, some fans have wondered if season 2 might diverge from the book order and focus on Dean next.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Revisiting the groundbreaking feminist performance art movement in 1970s Los Angeles, one artist spotlights the inspirational, transformational, radical community exploding the narrative and status quo.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Last year’s summer booking rate in Mexico's capital was $170 before exploding to an average of $595, a 252% increase.
—Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The Wonderfools ends in an epic, two-part finale that sees Chae-ni and her friends trying to stop the Church of Eternal Salvation from exploding a blimp of chemicals over the entire town.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Cody Brundage's 44-second R2 knockout over Andre Petroski was the fastest of the night, and Khaos Williams returned to form by detonating a right hand on Nikolay Veretennikov for a vintage first-round TKO.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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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
Verb
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The administration’s norm-shattering masks a more fundamental misunderstanding of how administrative power can bring about lasting change.—
Joshua M. Sharfstein,
STAT,
16 May 2026
-
At that price point, the home will likely become the most expensive home sold in Miami-Dade, shattering the record set by Zuckerberg earlier this year.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Bystander video posted to Facebook showed two jets making contact in the air, then twisting and careening in the sky before hitting the ground and erupting in a plume of dirt and fire.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
17 May 2026
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The video, which was obtained in October by Politico, showed Porter erupting at a staff member who appeared in the background of a prerecorded Zoom call between the former congresswoman and then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In sync with her inspiration, Maccapani Missoni also played with blurred and watercolor effects, patterns evoking seaweed and deep-sea plants, as well as fish- or pearl-shaped details popping along the necklines, for example.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
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All that, plus Liev Schreiber as a pill-popping philanderer named Tag, Dakota Fanning in pregnancy prosthetics, and Donna Lynne Champlin as the beleaguered detective trying to solve the murder.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Suarez was caught on surveillance camera smashing into the Volkswagen Jetta on Amsterdam Ave.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
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Dwight reached out and squeezed my upper arm, pulling me into a bear hug, smashing my face against the rough canvas of his jacket, his gloved hand on my ass pulling me closer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
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Trump now faces a break-the-glass moment to avoid gas prices from blowing past Biden-era records highs.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Indeed, back in the 1990s and 2000s, municipalities across the country were happily demolishing Brutalist eyesores made to house the poor.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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The work included demolishing one stand entirely to create the space required to facilitate those media demands.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In fact, there were a lot of pretty curiosities to ogle at, bursting with color and fun costume-party energy (note the many party hats).—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
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Poking holes in potatoes helps steam escape but is rarely necessary to prevent bursting.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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