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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
The house that exploded was on McCormick Street off of Moross Road.
—
Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 6 July 2025
The weather was considerably cooler in the Sacramento region for Fourth of July this year, but that didn’t do much to curb the number of fires while the sky was littered with exploding fireworks throughout the evening.
—Chris Biderman
july 5, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2025
Prime Day has since exploded in popularity and will include four days of deals this year.
—Lianna Norman, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Automation isn't optional, now that package volumes are exploding and customer expectations are rising.
—Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 6 July 2025
The weather was considerably cooler in the Sacramento region for Fourth of July this year, but that didn’t do much to curb the number of fires while the sky was littered with exploding fireworks throughout the evening.
—Chris Biderman
july 5, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2025
Prime Day has since exploded in popularity and will include four days of deals this year.
—Lianna Norman, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Automation isn't optional, now that package volumes are exploding and customer expectations are rising.
—Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
-
Richard Reid did not detonate the explosive and the plane landed in Boston after passengers subdued him.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
8 July 2025
-
The bomb squads were detonating more fireworks to try to make the area safe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
-
In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
That tension would soon erupt into one of the most consequential gender equity battles in modern NCAA history.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
-
The whole table erupted into a debate about the war—one that everyone claimed to be against, even though one family member is a combat medic and another is enlisting.—
Guy Ben-Aharon,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The beverage industry has truly popped its lid on transformation over the last decade, moving from a space dominated by legacy players like Coca-Cola and Pepsi to one where new entrants are reshaping what consumers’ taste buds expect from their thirst-quenchers.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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This uptick helps explain why monthly sales of the pouches more than tripled between 2021 and 2024, even as usage in adults remains low—under 3% report ever popping one in, though that number is higher among folks who currently smoke (11%) or once did (7%).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
The other oar was smashed off, and the raft was littered up with leaves and branches and dirt.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
-
Odie's menu includes smash burgers and signature drinks inspired by band members.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Water moving at 25 mph has the pressure equivalent of wind blowing at 790 mph, faster than the speed of sound.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
It was held at Isaza’s grandparents’ house, which was about to be demolished.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
10 July 2025
-
An existing, 38,000-square-foot building on the site will be demolished in that development.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Bubbly, bittersweet, and bursting with untapped potential, a bottle of tonic water is the key to a whole summer of compelling cocktails.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 July 2025
-
Creativity was not limited to the attacking players — but also applied to centre-backs, who were encouraged to burst forward into midfield, or beat their man before playing the pass.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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