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explosion

noun

ik-ˈsplō-zhən How to pronounce explosion (audio)
Definition of explosionnext
1
as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding the explosion of the first atomic bomb at Hiroshima

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling the explosion of patriotic feeling that the country experienced after that momentous event

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger the tennis player's expletive-enriched explosions on the court tested the patience of officials

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of explosion Then, Biggart and Doremus heard from a cabbie passing by about an explosion down by the World Trade Center. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 The second mystery is the puzzle over how exactly type Ia supernova explosions detonate. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2026 The Keller offense has been a sight to behold so far this season with a pair of 55-point explosions in Week 1 and Week 2. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026 Among the president’s advisors, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the Office of the National Cyber Director have expressed the greatest concern with the potential of an unchecked intelligence explosion, the source said. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explosion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosion
  1. eruption
  2. burst
  3. scene
  4. detonation
  5. outburst
  6. huff
  7. blaze
  8. reaction
Noun
  • But Alex Bregman and the rest of the Cubs’ offensive eruption allowed Imanaga to settle into cruise control, which helped give the Cubs a 12-2 blowout of the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Geology Agency cautioned that volcanic activity remains elevated and the probability of further eruptions is still high.
    — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of eruption
Noun
  • That flexibility makes flow batteries particularly relevant to long-duration storage, where systems may need to deliver electricity for several hours rather than simply provide short bursts of backup power.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Could Civale maybe be used in shorter bursts, meaning he could be used more often?
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Still, the episode has little time to dwell on logical lapses because each scene gets its leads closer to an inevitable betrayal one way or another.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of scene
Noun
  • The resulting detonations will result in explosions, flashes of light and clouds of smoke visible from a distance, the Navy said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Officers were at the scene in Weisweiler Tuesday to secure evidence and check whether any additional, as yet undiscovered, detonation devices have been set up in the surrounding area, police said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of detonation
Noun
  • His dismissal wasn’t so much the result of one outburst or misstep, the person told The Times, but the culmination of a season’s worth of issues that boiled over in the wake of the Nebraska loss.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Tristan Peters fouled off 12 pitches in an 18-pitch at-bat that keyed Chicago's six-run outburst in the sixth inning and the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Monday night to stay atop the AL Central.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • Firefighters tried to battle the blaze while police pushed back the public and reporters.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • After firefighters extinguished the blaze, authorities found two people dead inside a 2019 McLaren.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of blaze
Noun
  • Cornyn’s reaction — after the two Republicans spent months attacking each other on the campaign trail — adds further uncertainty as Hunt seeks Republican support.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Some on Wall Street thought the positive reaction following the announcement was overdone.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of reaction

Browse Nearby Words

exploring
explosion
explosions
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Cite this Entry

“Explosion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosion. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on explosion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about explosion

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