blew up

past tense of blow up
1
2
as in exploded
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 shattered
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 blew up Her TikTok about the purple toilet seat quickly blew up. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025 The claim soon blew up to users, who claimed that the song was an anthem of the groypers. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2025 Some months later, the Russians blew up the dam, leaving this part of the city underwater for weeks. Ken Harbaugh, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025 After backstopping the Montreal Canadiens’ most recent Stanley Cup win in 1993, a strained relationship with coach Mario Tremblay blew up in December 1995 when Tremblay left Roy in the net for nine Red Wings goals in an eventual 11-1 loss to Detroit. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025 Indeed, Ansari blew up his show’s winning formula and focused season three — filmed through 2020 and 2021, with COVID interruptions — on Waithe’s character and her breakup with her wife (Naomi Ackie). Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 Roberts was originally content with being an indie author, but readers’ love of the book blew up. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Accurso has become something of a quintessential figure in children's media since her YouTube videos blew up in 2020, partnering with Netflix for her television special inspired by her content and with Spin Master for a toy line in recent years. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025 Still, Sony might be feeling some serious FOMO after seeing just how much this film blew up. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blew up
Verb
  • However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while corruption allegations against senior officials have dented his party’s odds ahead of next month’s vote, which could determine the future of Milei’s presidency.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Some of the most passionate television fans are those who watch Big Brother, and the latest game twist has angered them, creating a backlash on social media.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But his career really exploded a couple of years later, thanks to his starring role as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
    Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Seguin shut out Burleson 21-0, and Martin’s offense exploded for 74 points in a victory over Mansfield.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Getty Images The nascent campaign has already shattered the record for philanthropic money raised in support of hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • When your industry is being shattered by greed?
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Are wealth and success all they're cracked up to be?
    Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Israel’s concentration on destroying Gaza City’s infrastructure has utilized a variety of means, including heavy bombs and, recently, old armored vehicles laden with a large amount of explosives and detonated via remote control.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In September 2024, Israel blew up the group’s pagers, causing gruesome injuries as the devices detonated in Hezbollah operatives’ pockets.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Pat LaFrieda beef patties are smashed to order, seasoned with a special house spice blend and topped with American cheese, a tomato slice, crispy onion rings lightly tossed in curry seasoning.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • That storm smashed the city's record for the most single-hour rainfall, caused widespread flooding, 13 deaths, and hundreds of millions of dollars of damage.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The fine is the largest ever announced by the regulator against a single entity, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said.
    AFP, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • As his name was announced, the emotion from his family and friends spilled across the camera.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Christmas Eve travel was briefly snarled as the Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop for all American Airlines flights Tuesday.
    Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare suffered a massive ransomware attack, which leaked info on over 100 million people and snarled healthcare for weeks despite a $22 million payment to the attackers.
    Wes Davis, The Verge, 4 Dec. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blew up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blew%20up. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!