blowup 1 of 2

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building blew up because of a gas leak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to smash
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

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 blowup
Noun
The latest draft comes nearly a month after the blowup between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2025 Zelensky left the White House last week without signing a bilateral mineral deal after a blowup in the Oval Office that dimmed the chances of a peace agreement with Russia. Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Gains take time, says McDowell, so don’t get discouraged if your muscles don’t blow up overnight. Julia Ries, Health, 22 May 2025 Not long after, one morning in January 2012, Mescudi’s frantic dog-sitter called him at 6:30 a.m. about his Porsche blowing up in front of his house. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • There was the milestone scene where Jack kissed Ethan (Adam Kaufman) in what was primetime television's first gay male kiss.
    Breanne L. Heldman, EW.com, 24 May 2025
  • There’s never a false note from the young actors, all of whom have deeply moving scenes.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Fifty to 70 volcano eruptions are recorded around the world each year.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • This latest episode in Kilauea’s ongoing eruption started in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at 4:15 p.m. HST on Sunday and ended abruptly at 10:25 p.m., according to USGS.
    Eric Mack, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Target also said its first-quarter performance was affected by negative reactions to its pullback on diversity, equity and inclusion policies (DEI) in January, which angered some loyal customers who have long praised the company's commitment to inclusiveness.
    Siddharth Cavale, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Trump was angered by reading reports that Springsteen, without referring to the president by name, had criticized the administration in a Manchester concert.
    Jem Aswad, Variety, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • At the same moment, Paul presses the button on a remote and detonates a bomb in O’Hara’s office, killing his men there.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 1 June 2025
  • An attacker opened fire on the Israeli Consulate in Munich in September, and two months later grenades were detonated near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen.
    Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • That served as a prelude to Tim Anderson smashing his own two-run shot off Zack Britton in the bottom of the inning to send the White Sox home winners.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • He’s often found smashing things in the name of justice but can still be angered easily if things don’t go his way.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Finishing each other’s sentences, cracking up at the same things, going off on (heartwarming!) tangents, sharing the splash of extra wine the waiter pours, asking me interesting questions.
    Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 May 2025
  • The 70-year-old Today show weatherman couldn’t stop cracking up during a shopping segment on the Friday, May 23 episode of the NBC morning show.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Noun
  • So these quests march on even as the crack of explosions grows louder.
    Carole V. Bell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • Since March, the southeast crater showed signs of activity with smaller explosions and moderate lava flows.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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