1
as in detonates
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 shatters
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 erupts
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 explodes
In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.
—
Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
That everything-at-once approach explodes across a whole wall at the opposite end of the gallery.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Yet by the end, the song explodes into a crushing wall of sound, Day’s voice spawning in triples above a screeching electronica bed.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Vann instantly explodes, then runs off into the distance, making it across the street before collapsing to the ground where a resident tried to help him with damp towels.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates from the rocket to save the astronauts, and the rocket explodes into small pieces.
—Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Still, as the AI data center build-out explodes thanks to record-breaking investments, which will hit $700 billion this year alone, some blue-collar roles are rising in demand.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
That everything-at-once approach explodes across a whole wall at the opposite end of the gallery.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Yet by the end, the song explodes into a crushing wall of sound, Day’s voice spawning in triples above a screeching electronica bed.
—Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Vann instantly explodes, then runs off into the distance, making it across the street before collapsing to the ground where a resident tried to help him with damp towels.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates from the rocket to save the astronauts, and the rocket explodes into small pieces.
—Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Still, as the AI data center build-out explodes thanks to record-breaking investments, which will hit $700 billion this year alone, some blue-collar roles are rising in demand.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
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After the pass comes to Bridges, who detonates passersby at the basket regularly, White goes straight up, though with a little more oomph than usual.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Antisemitism controversy erupts at elite NY high school after Israel flyer found in urinal.—
,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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As the murders continue, Susie and Peter and his assistant Royal Lee orbit each other until the slow-burning fuse of the mystery erupts in the final pages.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What began as a one-off backyard show quickly evolved into a monthly live event series that pops up in local warehouses, art galleries and cocktail bars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Raw milk legislation pops up across the nation Bills favoring raw milk have been introduced in the current legislative session in 18 states, including those controlled by Democrats and Republicans.—
Laura Ungar,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The group is among the most successful access-broker operations, a class of hackers that smashes and grabs credentials from victims and then sells them to other hackers.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
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But Wark smashes a ball to left field for the Aggies to retake the lead, 7-5.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tell them when something blows you away.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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Tell them when something blows your mind.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Levine Cava said the Kelly Tractor project destroys too many wetlands and bypasses county rules on approving development proposed outside Miami-Dade’s Urban Development Boundary.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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The novel begins with a deadly fire that destroys two tenements.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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