1
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
the bomb was so powerful that it exploded windows in several neighboring buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently
the mayor's latest unpopular decision caused long-suppressed resentment to explode into open anger
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
The SpaceX Starship rocket exploded during a test flight on Thursday.
—
Callum Booth, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adult Coloring Adult coloring is another hobby that has exploded online recently, with over 200 million posts on TikTok on the topic.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
Unless the rest of government is dramatically scaled back, that planned tax cut would explode the federal budget deficit.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2025
Raw eggs… Soda cans aren’t the only kind of item at risk of exploding in the freezer, according to Dr. Detwiler.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Callum Booth, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adult Coloring Adult coloring is another hobby that has exploded online recently, with over 200 million posts on TikTok on the topic.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
Unless the rest of government is dramatically scaled back, that planned tax cut would explode the federal budget deficit.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2025
Raw eggs… Soda cans aren’t the only kind of item at risk of exploding in the freezer, according to Dr. Detwiler.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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That a cooking gas cannister won’t detonate in error, and spark a shoot-out that breaks the peace permanently.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
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Just before noon, an archeologist located what... Posted by Vancouver Police Department on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 The teams developed a plan to safely detonate the ordnance.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
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Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Self Tour Pompeii When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and coated the city of Pompeii in ash and debris to a depth of 23 feet (seven meters), the population at the time was fifteen to twenty thousand, or about that of Jackson, Wyoming or Bangor in Wales today.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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Plans to redevelop a piece of Idaho’s second-oldest golf course — and the oldest in Southern Idaho — could soon move forward after a neighborhood on the edge of State Street erupted into objections over similar plans six years ago.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Ed Sheeran popped up at a Boston Irish pub to perform a surprise acoustic set in front of a celebratory St. Patrick’s Day crowd on Monday night.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2025
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The rest of their flowers pop up throughout the remainder of the month in a naturally staggered pattern, thanks to a mix of varieties with different bloom times.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To Late April Close, CFO Says - Update RTL pointed to 2024 success stories including Oscar-winner Poor Things, hit Amazon YA series Maxton Hall, Kim Kardashian-produced doc Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and U.S. entertainment smashes like Family Feud and The Farmer Wants A Wife.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
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An individual or individuals smashed windows, painted Cybertruck windshields with large red X’s and tried to ignite a fire.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Limit hot tool use: Take a break from hot curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
12 Mar. 2025
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By dumping more toxic substances into the landfills, there’s a higher chance of chemicals leaking into groundwater or becoming part of airborne dust blowing into nearby communities.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Most of the historic neighborhood theater buildings were either demolished or destroyed by fire, often replaced by parking lots or highways.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The tech bubble burst in 2000, sending the S&P 500 down by almost 50%.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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Banks burst through those doors with a breakneck style.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to explode
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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