1
as in eruptions
the act or an instance of exploding
the explosion of the first atomic bomb at Hiroshima
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bursts
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 scenes
an outburst or display of excited anger
the tennis player's expletive-enriched explosions on the court tested the patience of officials
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosions
Every once in a while, the TV would display the now ubiquitous images of Suspect One and Suspect Two, who had been caught by surveillance cameras, wearing backpacks and strolling near the finish line moments before the explosions.
—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
In Bamako, sustained gunfire and explosions were heard near the main airport, forcing the cancellation of incoming and outgoing flights.
—Jewel Bright, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Solar flares are powerful explosions from the sun that release intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation at the speed of light, including X-rays and ultraviolet light.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Several smaller explosions followed.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
There was plenty of sword fighting, martial arts, explosions, fireballs and fireworks.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
The two explosions at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant came decades apart in the dead of night.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Federal investigators have arrived in San Antonio to begin initial examinations on a North Side street that was rocked by two house explosions in one night, with plans to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
—Annasofia Scheve, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
San Antonio — Five people were injured when explosions occurred several hours apart at two homes on the same block of a north San Antonio neighborhood Tuesday night, authorities said.
—Jason Allen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
In Bamako, sustained gunfire and explosions were heard near the main airport, forcing the cancellation of incoming and outgoing flights.
—Jewel Bright, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
Solar flares are powerful explosions from the sun that release intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation at the speed of light, including X-rays and ultraviolet light.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Several smaller explosions followed.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
There was plenty of sword fighting, martial arts, explosions, fireballs and fireworks.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
The two explosions at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant came decades apart in the dead of night.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Federal investigators have arrived in San Antonio to begin initial examinations on a North Side street that was rocked by two house explosions in one night, with plans to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
—Annasofia Scheve, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
San Antonio — Five people were injured when explosions occurred several hours apart at two homes on the same block of a north San Antonio neighborhood Tuesday night, authorities said.
—Jason Allen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosions
Noun
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The idea underpinning this film is that when two friends get together, there are both literal and figurative eruptions.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
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Major eruptions of pushback against Meta include the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, when the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from up to 87 million Facebook users was used for political advertising, adding to criticisms that the site pushes divisive and extreme political content.—
Ryan Cormier,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even activities like playing video games and watching TV, according to Yasinski, can be helpful if done in short bursts.—
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Apply irrigation slowly, water in the early morning when temperatures are lower, and water in long sessions rather than short bursts.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Behind the scenes, general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton have discussed that this year’s draft will hinge on Day 3.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The paintings incorporate scenes Martinez witnessed during nighttime walks through Istanbul, contemplating the boundaries and borders created by the city’s barriers, amid political unrest and oppression.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Only when more members and influential insiders demand better of one another as a matter of course, before things go sideways, will there be fewer political self-detonations and shattered lives.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Given the prospect of nuclear war, humanity’s arsenal could indeed wipe out every living human on Earth from detonations and the ensuing fallout.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This time, there wasn’t nearly as long of a gap between scoring outbursts.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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Director Matt Pfeiffer tries not to tie it too strongly to an extreme light or dark mood but does keep up a snappy pace, plays most of the angriest outbursts for laughs and takes good advantage of the openness of the Playhouse on Park stage area.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The projection is tricky because the body type is so unusual, but the movement traits and disruptive flashes are worth a long look.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Grant, a 6-foot-3, 335-pound interior defensive lineman who can be athletic at his size, went through some rookie struggles and also some flashes.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Nov. 2025
Noun
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With no rain in the forecast and a steady breeze with gusts of 20 to 25 mph, conditions are ripe for any fires that start to spread quickly, the National Weather Service said.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The northern Outer Banks experienced gusts of 20 to 25 mph on Wednesday, and there was a moderate risk of rip currents, the National Weather Service said.—
Mark Price
April 23,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosions. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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