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
Relevance
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
Flashes from exploding drones and missiles lit up the night, and loud booms echoed through Kyiv.
—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
As SkyCal flew towards Huntington Park, dozens of rounds of fireworks were seen exploding over parts of Los Angeles, just minutes after the whistles blew in Estadio Azteca, surpassing the Round of 32 for the first time since 2018.
—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Argyle continues to craft polished, elegant sparkling wines and the entire category is exploding across Oregon thanks to the efforts of another pioneer--Andrew Davis, also a former Argyle winemaker.
—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Why the everything shower trend is exploding The trend has gone far beyond surface-level beauty content.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2026
Results in otherwise healthy users tend to be modest, but the category is exploding.
—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
True to its name, Swift is designed to pivot quickly to capture late-breaking astronomical events such as gamma ray bursts and exploding stars.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
While Bonnaroo had many big moments, like lasers or fireworks exploding over the crowd, what made the experience worthwhile was all the small magic moments that accumulated throughout the four-day festival.
—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Unfortunately, sometimes winning the lottery also comes with exploding pipes.
—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
As SkyCal flew towards Huntington Park, dozens of rounds of fireworks were seen exploding over parts of Los Angeles, just minutes after the whistles blew in Estadio Azteca, surpassing the Round of 32 for the first time since 2018.
—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Argyle continues to craft polished, elegant sparkling wines and the entire category is exploding across Oregon thanks to the efforts of another pioneer--Andrew Davis, also a former Argyle winemaker.
—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Why the everything shower trend is exploding The trend has gone far beyond surface-level beauty content.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2026
Results in otherwise healthy users tend to be modest, but the category is exploding.
—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
True to its name, Swift is designed to pivot quickly to capture late-breaking astronomical events such as gamma ray bursts and exploding stars.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
While Bonnaroo had many big moments, like lasers or fireworks exploding over the crowd, what made the experience worthwhile was all the small magic moments that accumulated throughout the four-day festival.
—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Unfortunately, sometimes winning the lottery also comes with exploding pipes.
—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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In one video a drone runs into protective netting at least 50 feet above the target and detonating prematurely.
-
Investigators found that Aliji intended to drive a Volkswagen Beetle equipped with fake police sirens and flashing blue lights toward crowds outside the venue before detonating explosives concealed inside a Red Bull can.
Verb
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SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has minted thousands of new millionaires, unleashing a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.
-
The record-shattering heat waves in Europe last week and in the western US in March are two recent examples.
Verb
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Across the United States, the sky will be erupting with fireworks on July 4, 2026, and the days around it as America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence.
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The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder has shot up draft boards after notching 84 points (29 goals and 55 assists) in 67 games for OHL Brantford, then erupting for another 26 (13 goals and 13 assists) in 15 playoff games.
Verb
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Additionally, the company is offering a non-alcoholic beverage aptly named the Firework Fizz, which launched June 25 and has strawberry popping boba for a festive effect.
-
Social media campaigns are popping up online, urging women to place their bets on sites like Kalshi and Polymarket.
Verb
-
Powell is accused of smashing the mug over the victim's head.
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France saw around 1,000 additional deaths last week at the height of its record-smashing heat wave, the country's public health agency said Sunday, as the head of the World Health Organization warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent and needs to do more to protect its citizens.
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
-
Royce Lewis slipped an RBI single up the middle in the 10th inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Colorado Rockies 9-8 on Friday night after blowing a seven-run lead.
Verb
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Digital Realty already began demolishing the inside of the building, so Gray believed the agreement was set.
-
But everyday people expressed their political outrage time and again, throwing rocks at and demolishing the houses of government officials, torching the king’s ships and forts and, eventually, marching to battle.
Verb
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Join hundreds of boats and hundreds more tourists on the riverwalk to catch the bombs bursting in air.
-
The Kings’ defense corps was once its bedrock, bursting with depth, quality and the ability to convert a home-plate mentality into counterattacking opportunities.
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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