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
Time in the age of screens was rapidly changing, brazenly commercializing, exploding into bits and then getting distributed across multiple venues and devices.
—
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
The corpses of deceased civilians litter the streets as blood pools — beheadings, dismemberments and bodies exploded into liquid flesh — while buildings and other structures collapse.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Born and raised in a working class family in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen exploded in stardom after being a local musician at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2025
These birds exploded at our shoe tops.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
The corpses of deceased civilians litter the streets as blood pools — beheadings, dismemberments and bodies exploded into liquid flesh — while buildings and other structures collapse.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Born and raised in a working class family in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen exploded in stardom after being a local musician at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2025
These birds exploded at our shoe tops.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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An artillery shell fired as part of the Marine Corps’ 250-year anniversary celebrations prematurely detonated over Interstate 5 in California Saturday, striking a patrol vehicle with shrapnel, according to the California Highway Patrol.—
Susannah Cullinane,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
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Two months later, on February 26, 1993, al-Qaeda detonated a truck bomb beneath the World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring more than a thousand.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Viewers are dropped into the aftermath of an unnamed personal conflict and must work out over the course of the runtime the stakes of the situation, a highwire act handled deftly by the actors whose tender performances provide the emotional impact of the film’s shattering final sequence.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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The case of Mamulya, a donkey whose hoof was shattered, apparently in a mine explosion, becomes central to the story, emblematic of the assistance the sanctuary receives from within and beyond Ukraine’s borders in order to provide state-of-the-art medical treatments.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Varsho trotted, the Rogers Centre erupted – and the fans kept partying on the club level well past midnight.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Content creators now use it for just about anything and its appearance often sparks raucous reactions, like in September when a crowd erupted in cheers after an In-N-Out employee called out order number 67.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Smaller efforts popped up in Greenland over the years, but nothing came to fruition.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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In a matter of days, tens of thousands of videos have popped up under the hashtag #group7, with many users celebrating their membership.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The solar wind smashes into the leading edge of Earth’s magnetosphere with supersonic speed, creating a shockwave that can come closer than one hundred thousand kilometers to the planet’s illuminated side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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From there, two of the thieves slinked up the ladder to smash a window that leads to the Galerie d’Apollon on the museum’s second floor.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Giants, meanwhile, are coming off a painful defeat to the Denver Broncos, after blowing a 19-0 lead and losing 33-32 on a last-second Denver field goal after missing two PATs of their own, including one with 37 seconds left.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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After the final whistle blew at Memorial Stadium, Kiffin made some headlines for his postgame behavior toward an Oklahoma player.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More recently, high-profile firms including Amazon, Apple, Coinbase, Comcast, Google, Lockheed Martin and Meta Platforms have agreed to help finance the ballroom Trump plans for the White House after ordering the building’s East Wing to be demolished.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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To build the new housing, Arrow Street Development plans to demolish about a half-dozen buildings including multiple old single-family homes and commercial structures.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Messi picked up the ball from his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul in midfield and burst toward the backpedaling Nashville back line before slipping the ball outside to Luis Suárez.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The areas facing the sun heat up fastest, and if there is a weaker area on the surface of the comet, sublimated gases under the surface can burst through — causing these sun-facing jets.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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