1
as in has a fit
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explodes
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 shatters
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
as in cracks up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the advertisement blows the new soda up to the point where I half expected to be transported to a higher level of consciousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of blows up
The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game.
—
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
When Yung Felon’s identity is revealed, his music blows up with billions of streams, and new fans flock to support him despite his heinous crimes.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2025
This week, Cardi B has a message for the competition, Chance The Rapper comes full circle and Dijon blows up.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Or if some out-of-towner blows up a factory with her stuff in it.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
And yeah, his attempt to do so at the bar blows up her parents’ ruse as well as Connie’s commitment to ethical nonmonogamy with Chane — who didn’t consent to Connie forcing him to feel her feelings — but safe to say both of those things needed to be blown up.
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
When Yung Felon’s identity is revealed, his music blows up with billions of streams, and new fans flock to support him despite his heinous crimes.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2025
This week, Cardi B has a message for the competition, Chance The Rapper comes full circle and Dijon blows up.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Or if some out-of-towner blows up a factory with her stuff in it.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
And yeah, his attempt to do so at the bar blows up her parents’ ruse as well as Connie’s commitment to ethical nonmonogamy with Chane — who didn’t consent to Connie forcing him to feel her feelings — but safe to say both of those things needed to be blown up.
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
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Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Toussaint is killed in the penultimate episode after Shagan detonates a bomb on Saskia’s computer.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At a single, two-minute dinner, Hermann Kafka smashes a cockroach while denigrating his son’s engagement to Felice Bauer before reiterating his distaste for Franz’s writing.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
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Excitement around the closing stretch is spilling onto the charts in the United Kingdom, as a wave of Coldplay smashes return and rise this frame.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump announces arrest of suspect Tyler Robinson As of Thursday night, the assassination suspect remained at large.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Apple announces new iPhones and more.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What happens if this group blows a few late leads early in this season?—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
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Paul finds out and blows his top.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Macaroni and cheese is Drew Barrymore’s favorite meal and pops up frequently on her talk show.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Sep. 2025
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What happens is something like the Charlotte Latino Film Festival pops up and people go look at all these festivals.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Liposuction surgically removes fat cells, while cryolipolysis freezes and destroys them.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
29 Aug. 2025
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But the loving couple’s equilibrium hits a major bump when a freak coastal storm destroys Theo’s new building before its inauguration and viral videos compound his humiliation.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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