1
as in eruptions
the act or an instance of exploding
the explosion of the first atomic bomb at Hiroshima
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 explosions
Kaser’s masterstroke is in compounding these questions of agency with his deft writing style—there are motifs of holes, bottles, and explosions.
—
Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
Quick hits • Orlando Science Center hosts Mess Fest, which splatters knowledge and physics with paint, foam explosions and more.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The massive rocket has encountered a number of anomalies and failures since its debut, including fiery explosions both on the test stand and mid-flight that have attracted plenty of headlines.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
One volunteer, Nazar Mohamed, spent months riding around Omdurman, often on a bicycle, delivering supplies while explosions echoed.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
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
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
Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
Quick hits • Orlando Science Center hosts Mess Fest, which splatters knowledge and physics with paint, foam explosions and more.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The massive rocket has encountered a number of anomalies and failures since its debut, including fiery explosions both on the test stand and mid-flight that have attracted plenty of headlines.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
One volunteer, Nazar Mohamed, spent months riding around Omdurman, often on a bicycle, delivering supplies while explosions echoed.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosions
Noun
-
The eruptions – yours, the partner’s – suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The eruptions — yours, the partner’s — suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Scientists at Stanford found that biological aging accelerates in two distinct bursts, once around age 44 and again around 60, making the 30s and 40s a critical window for intervention.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
-
In fact, when experienced in short bursts, stress can be beneficial by increasing focus, improving performance and preparing the body to handle challenges.—
Danielle Wilhour,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
So there is no real secret behind the scenes—just to work, to be honest, to meet personally with the people, to look into their eyes.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Rabbit Holed is Kieran Press-Reynolds’ weekly column exploring songs and scenes at the intersection of music and digital culture, separating shitpost genius from shitpassé lameness.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
At 11 years old, after a series of violent outbursts, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
As a high-functioning alcoholic whose outbursts manifest as a kaiju on the other side of the world, Hathaway delivers one of her most limber performances in the darkly comic Colossal.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
There have been moments of optimism, flashes of something sustainable, but nothing that has endured long enough to matter.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
The Elegoo Jupiter 2 3D printer shows flashes of excellence with its massive build volume and striking print quality, but uneven automation, confusing UI menus, and a still-maturing workflow limit its appeal.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
Residents can look for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
-
Sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosions. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
