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
Russia fired a total of 595 exploding drones and decoys and 48 missiles, Ukraine’s air force said Sunday.
—
Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
The virtual sweepstakes games are exploding in popularity.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Hong Kong — The sight of a multi-colored fireworks exploding in the foothills of the Himalayas has sparked a furious environmental backlash, prompting a local government investigation in China and forcing global outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx to issue an apology.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The exploding market of phone users also propelled the massive growth of social media companies like Facebook and Twitter.
—ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
The new Buffs mascot opened her CU tenure by exploding out of the gate — and with the kind of gait that would make Rodney Stewart proud.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
But in a twist, at the end of the first episode, Luke flamed up and flew into the sky, committing suicide by using his powers and exploding.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Quarterback Russell Wilson had a rough outing in Week 1 before exploding for 450 passing yards against Dallas, finishing 30-of-41 for three touchdowns and one interception.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
The deal, which includes Nvidia taking a $5 billion stake in Intel, brings together two longtime rivals at a moment when demand for AI computing is exploding.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
The virtual sweepstakes games are exploding in popularity.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Hong Kong — The sight of a multi-colored fireworks exploding in the foothills of the Himalayas has sparked a furious environmental backlash, prompting a local government investigation in China and forcing global outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx to issue an apology.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
The exploding market of phone users also propelled the massive growth of social media companies like Facebook and Twitter.
—ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
The new Buffs mascot opened her CU tenure by exploding out of the gate — and with the kind of gait that would make Rodney Stewart proud.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
But in a twist, at the end of the first episode, Luke flamed up and flew into the sky, committing suicide by using his powers and exploding.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Quarterback Russell Wilson had a rough outing in Week 1 before exploding for 450 passing yards against Dallas, finishing 30-of-41 for three touchdowns and one interception.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
The deal, which includes Nvidia taking a $5 billion stake in Intel, brings together two longtime rivals at a moment when demand for AI computing is exploding.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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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
-
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Juni was shot in the head twice, with one bullet skimming her eye, and the other shattering her jaw.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Bonded by a mysterious, complicated past, the men share a fraught, if occasionally tender relationship that had been forever altered by shattering events decades earlier.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Videos show flashbang grenades erupting on the street, followed by residents of the building—children among them—being led to a parking lot across the street.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
-
During its first flyby of Saturn’s moon Enceladus in 2005, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft captured dramatic water ice plumes erupting into space from the moon’s south pole.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the high-profile nature of the awards and the eye-popping figures associated with them are pushing board-level compensation committees that negotiate CEO pay to prepare for conversations about similar packages.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — popping up in his fantasy.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Brown climbed the ladder to haul in a pass over the middle from Madsen, beating his defender in the air acrobatically before smashing into the end zone turf for the catch and a 33-14 lead.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Sep. 2025
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Superman proved to fire off the new DC under chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran, while the original gambles that Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy have made at the larger Warner Bros Motion Picture Group with Sinners and F1, as well as new IP A Minecraft Movie, have been smashing successes.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Equating your value to your bank account, or blowing cash to feel validated.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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He and his apprentices host glass- blowing classes on Fridays and Saturdays (reservation required), when guests can make anything from a bowl to a tumbler to an ornament.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tens of thousands have been fleeing the city, which has seen Israel demolishing high-rise buildings.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
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Preservationists stepped in to keep the company from its standard practice of demolishing a vacant building.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So with Fenway Park bursting with anticipation on Friday night, the pressure ratcheted up against the Detroit Tigers, Chapman narrowed his focus — not just to the catcher’s mitt, but the laces within its webbing.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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While the first game trafficked in elegant neatness, Hades II is practically bursting at the seams with excess.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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