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
Relevance
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
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 explode
The aging population is exploding in Connecticut.
—
Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Since then, sports gambling has exploded across America, with legal bets accepted in all but 11 states.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
That initial introduction of 71 animals has since exploded into a population of more than 20,000 — and the species is now rapidly expanding and threatening native wildlife, particularly desert bighorn sheep, through competition and the spread of disease, according to TPWD officials.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The acquisition market exploded in the early 2020s as artists including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Nicks among many others all sold their rights to their music for millions of dollars.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2026
Since then, sports gambling has exploded across America, with legal bets accepted in all but 11 states.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
That initial introduction of 71 animals has since exploded into a population of more than 20,000 — and the species is now rapidly expanding and threatening native wildlife, particularly desert bighorn sheep, through competition and the spread of disease, according to TPWD officials.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The acquisition market exploded in the early 2020s as artists including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Nicks among many others all sold their rights to their music for millions of dollars.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
-
That bridge has been burned, detonated, destroyed, nuked, lasered to death.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.—
Philipp Jenne,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By 2025, the War on Terror had shattered entire nations and economies, displaced some 40 million citizens and directly and indirectly killed over four million.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the illusion shatters when a stranger on the street recognizes the dog… as HER boyfriend Danny’s dog.—
William Earl,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Crews made fast work of a 10-acre fire that erupted in brush in the vicinity of the SoCal Sports complex and Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, briefly prompting an order that people in the area shelter in place Friday.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
One of the defendant’s friends had a conversation with Velasquez that erupted into a brawl before the defendant charged at the victim and opened fire, the prosecutor said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The family documents describe comfortable lives and prosperous businesses blown apart by the war and the mounting Nazi menace.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The focus narrows in on the remaining passengers and crew in the main sections of the aircraft not blown to bits, the cockpit and a stretch of the main cabin (finally, a reward for flying coach), precariously perched on a reef outcrop.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But as anyone who’s dropped a mug knows, ceramics are also brittle and prone to smashing.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Police said three men wearing masks and all black clothing entered the open business and allegedly used a hammer to smash out several glass panels.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The sun is tickling our necks, the smell of cherry blossoms are wafting through the air, and dazzling new produce is popping up left, right, and center.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Fortunately, more homes have just popped up for sale at Powder Haven, the exclusive residential enclave in Utah backed by Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, who acquired the resort in 2023 and has since been reshaping it into a hybrid public-private ski destination.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After six years of plans to redevelop the shuttered MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, the owners would like to demolish the building and build a data center on the property, according to city officials.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In January, Publix closed its 40-year-old Palms store and by mid-April it was demolished to make way for a bigger, contemporary supermarket.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the teen’s case, five large keloids abruptly burst from her chickenpox scars, breaking out in different places on her body—on her right jaw, chest, abdomen, and right flank.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Amazon’s sale section is bursting with stellar deals this weekend — and these budget-friendly picks are no exception.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
