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
The unknown object collides with another moving object arriving from the opposite direction, exploding in a bright flash of light.
—
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere online, wellness culture was exploding.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Estonia last month reported a Ukrainian drone crashing and exploding on its territory.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
But the rocket appeared tilted too far to the left to land and when the reverse thrusters fired, the rocket overcorrected and leaned too far the other direction before exploding on the landing pad in a cloud of fire and debris.
—Nathan Furr, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Garcia did not feel comfortable with the new delivery — especially exploding down the mound — and eventually returned to his more natural arm slot.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
This upgrade requires packs to withstand thermal runaway without igniting or exploding.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
His post included a video of a small boat exploding after being hit.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere online, wellness culture was exploding.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Estonia last month reported a Ukrainian drone crashing and exploding on its territory.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
But the rocket appeared tilted too far to the left to land and when the reverse thrusters fired, the rocket overcorrected and leaned too far the other direction before exploding on the landing pad in a cloud of fire and debris.
—Nathan Furr, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Garcia did not feel comfortable with the new delivery — especially exploding down the mound — and eventually returned to his more natural arm slot.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
This upgrade requires packs to withstand thermal runaway without igniting or exploding.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
His post included a video of a small boat exploding after being hit.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 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
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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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The group also recently stepped out together at a University of Cincinnati football game, which just so happened to be Swift and Kelce’s first public outing since announcing their plans to get married with an internet-shattering post on Instagram in August.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
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Pamela Warner, mother and manager of the late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, reflected on the life-shattering moment her son had untimely passed away.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ahmad Hardy continued his stellar start to the season, erupting for a single-game career-best 250 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Images have emerged of disorder erupting in the capital.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Demolition derbies bring the sounds of revving engines and metal crashing into metal to rural arenas all over Arkansas, especially during this time of year when county fairs are popping up.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Travel and socializing with friends, neighbors, and siblings could also be popping up for you quite soon.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From the Luddites smashing looms in 19th-century England to autoworkers walking out over the introduction of robots to the factory floor in the 1980s, resistance has flared before either being crushed or subsiding, giving way to the new economies and social orders the technologies ushered in.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The 40th anniversary of John Farnham’s record-smashing 1986 album Whispering Jack will be celebrated with a new musical.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As health restrictions discouraged people from blowing directly into instruments, Gajewski and Brown reimagined the design.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Finish the look with a fall wreath bursting with harvest blooms.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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