explode

verb

ex·plode ik-ˈsplōd

exploded; exploding

Synonyms of explode next

intransitive verb

: to burst forth with sudden violence or noise from internal energy: such as

: to undergo a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases

dynamite explodes

: to burst violently as a result of pressure from within

: to give forth a sudden strong and noisy outburst of emotion

exploded in anger

: to move with sudden speed and force

exploded from the starting gate

: to increase rapidly

the population of the city exploded

: to suggest an explosion (as in appearance or effect)

shrubs exploded with blossoms

transitive verb

: to cause to explode or burst noisily

explode a bomb

: to bring into disrepute or discredit

explode a theory

archaic : to drive from the stage by noisy disapproval

exploder noun

Did you know?

Theatergoers in ancient Rome could be noisy in showing both their enjoyment and their dislike of a performance. One of the ways they made noise was by clapping their hands loudly. The Latin verb plaudere meant “to make a noise by loud clapping.” When Romans were showing their approval of a performance, the word used was applaudere, from which we get our English word applaud. When Romans did not like a performance, they often drove the performer from the stage by loud claps. The word for this was explodere or explaudere, from the prefix ex-, meaning “out, away,” and plaudere. From this word we get our English word explode. At first, explode meant “to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike,” but this sense has all but disappeared.

Examples of explode in a Sentence

One of the shells failed to explode. These occasional skirmishes may soon explode into all-out war. The birds suddenly exploded into flight. The building exploded in flames. She looked like she was ready to explode with anger.

Recent Examples on the Web The risk that this could explode into a regional conflict is high. —

Yaakov Katz, WSJ, 20 Nov. 2023 But the situation has exploded in the last six weeks. —

Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2023 By contrast, the first Starship launch badly damaged the launch site; several engines on the booster failed, fires knocked out the steering of the rocket and the flight termination system took too long to explode. —

Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023 Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway around that time. —

Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 16 Nov. 2023 The scene is full of guts and bone made out of felt, and red confetti exploding everywhere. —

Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023 Some of those performances sparked viral critique about her stage presence, a growing point of contention for many artists whose careers began and exploded within the confines of the pandemic. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023 Since war exploded in Israel, last month, the Navy has sent two carrier strike groups and an amphibious assault ship to the Mediterranean. —

Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023 Not only was the movie a massive hit, grossing almost $347 million at the box office, but its soundtrack also exploded in popularity. —

Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explode.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin explodere to drive off the stage by clapping, from ex- + plaudere to clap

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler

The first known use of explode was in 1615

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explode. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

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Kids Definition

explode

verb

ex·plode ik-ˈsplōd

exploded; exploding

: to cause to be given up or rejected

science has exploded many old theories

: to burst or cause to burst with violence and noise

the boiler exploded

: to go through a rapid chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise, heat, and violent expansion of gases

the bomb exploded

: to burst forth

exploded with laughter

zoomed out of the alley and exploded into the street

Etymology

from Latin explaudere "to drive off the stage by clapping," from ex- "out, away" and plaudere "to clap" — related to applaud, plaudit, plausible see Word History at plausible

Word Origin

Theatergoers in ancient Rome could be noisy in showing both their enjoyment and their dislike of a performance. One of the ways they made noise was by clapping their hands loudly. The Latin verb plaudere meant "to make a noise by loud clapping." When the Romans were showing their approval of a performance, the word used was applaudere, from which we get our English word applaud. When the Romans did not like a performance, they often drove the performer from the stage by loud claps. The word for this was explaudere, from the prefix ex-, meaning "out, away," and plaudere. It is from this word that we get our English word explode. In the beginning, the English word explode had the meaning "to drive from the stage by a noisy expression of dislike." But this sense has all but disappeared. Other meanings that have either the idea of disapproval or the idea of violent noise have since come into wide use.