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
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Recent Examples of explosions
Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining chain reaction where a little bit of pressure or heat starts producing even more heat, leading to a rapid rise in temperature that can trigger deadly fires or explosions.
—
Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
The violence followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
On even longer timescales, the remnant black holes that were created, whether from stellar explosions, neutron star mergers, a collapsing gas cloud, or having grown into supermassive behemoths, will all evaporate.
—Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
Thunder claps rumbled like explosions, shook homes and sent animals scattering for safe cover.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
These things can lead to many problems, including pressure cooker explosions.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
The horses all panicked about the explosions, and so the Shire horse’s anxiety reminded him of that moment.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Such high-energy particles are extremely rare, which means scientists would very much like to understand their origins — currently thought to involve the wreckage of supernova explosions and central regions of galaxies dominated by feeding supermassive black holes.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Downstairs, below the clinic, people at the Tuscany Tavern restaurant heard the fire alarm go off and what sounded like explosions.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
The violence followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
On even longer timescales, the remnant black holes that were created, whether from stellar explosions, neutron star mergers, a collapsing gas cloud, or having grown into supermassive behemoths, will all evaporate.
—Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
Thunder claps rumbled like explosions, shook homes and sent animals scattering for safe cover.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
These things can lead to many problems, including pressure cooker explosions.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
The horses all panicked about the explosions, and so the Shire horse’s anxiety reminded him of that moment.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Such high-energy particles are extremely rare, which means scientists would very much like to understand their origins — currently thought to involve the wreckage of supernova explosions and central regions of galaxies dominated by feeding supermassive black holes.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Downstairs, below the clinic, people at the Tuscany Tavern restaurant heard the fire alarm go off and what sounded like explosions.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosions
Noun
-
Serpell observes that even Pecola thrills to eruptions of beauty on a familiar rundown street that otherwise go unseen.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Black carbon has increased in recent decades with more ship traffic in the Arctic, and nearby Iceland has periodic volcanic eruptions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The storms that pummeled Southern California this week brought dramatic wind gusts, bursts of rain and lightning that set trees on fire, not to mention heavy snow.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Curlers need an intense training regimen, dedicated to sustaining them through short bursts of cardiovascular exercise (sweeping) and keeping their legs flexible and strong to support the deep lunge position adopted when hurling the stone.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to a SANE consultant being on set to assist with queries about the process, there was also an intimacy coordinator to help with the comfort level of filming the scenes.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Melling’s scenes all took place in the objectively less exciting muggle universe, occurring along a fairly straightforward arc from spoiled bully to remorseful young adult.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His public address envisioned a future filled with waves of nuclear arms buildups and test detonations.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Ukrainian officials said powerful explosions and secondary detonations were recorded at the site, while the extent of damage was still being assessed.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched an air travel civility campaign, noting that the FAA had seen a 400% increase of in-flight outbursts since 2019 and 13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With 2026 aligning with the roughly 80-year rhythm of past outbursts, however, astronomers have shifted some attention to late June.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Heathcliff arrives too late to say goodbye, and tearfully cradles her dead body as a montage of their passionate romance flashes across the screen.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Bulls failed in their attempt to construct a team around veterans through free agency and trades, briefly showing flashes of promise in the 2021-22 season before crashing back to earth.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 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
-
Falling temperatures and gusty winds will occur behind the boundary with gusts upwards of 40 to 50 mph through the evening.—
Trey Fulbright,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosions. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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