blowup 1 of 2

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to detonate
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 to smash
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 blowup
Noun
In Chicago, a City Council subcommittee held a hearing soon after the January blowup in the capital, with Johnson ally Ald. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025 Trump signaled Friday he was done with Musk after the blowup, but wished his former adviser well. Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 9 June 2025
Verb
Rocket Factory Augsburg, another German company, is in third place after getting close to a launch attempt last year before its first rocket blew up on a test stand. ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025 In the century and a half since their home world of Terminus was blown up, the Foundation found a new home in, well, New Terminus. Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • Theme park staff and the West Midlands Ambulance Service treated the girl at the scene.
    Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • He was treated at the scene and airlifted away but succumbed to his injuries.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There have been three major eruptions at Yellowstone, according to NPS.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • The devastation following the volcano’s famous eruption in 79 CE is well-documented across multiple archeological sites at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and elsewhere.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • In March, Gerson signed a contract to keep him at Flamengo until 2030, his subsequent departure angering many Flamengo fans.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Trump, angered by messy encampments of homeless people near the White House and on the nation's streets and parks, declared that organizations receiving federal funding must focus first on locking up people with drug or mental health challenges.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • The atomic bomb detonated instead above the Shima Surgical Hospital.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
  • The rule was introduced in response to an unsuccessful attempt by a passenger to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight.
    Will McGough, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Abraham Toro led off the fifth with a single against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson, Anthony drew a walk and Alex Bregman smashed a three-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 3-2.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 July 2025
  • What no one knew at the time was the right engine of the plane had smashed into the elevator shaft, crashing down and severing cables on its way.
    Susan Young, People.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • The athletes — who are currently at the Chiefs' preseason training camp at Missouri Western State University — enjoyed snacks and pizza while watching the Adam Sandler comedy, which seemed to have the Chiefs screening room cracking up.
    Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 July 2025
  • That is the question that Bang Chan, the leader of the eight-man group Stray Kids, asks with a straight face, as his bandmates crack up at his cheekiness.
    Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But as the Sunshine State was facing the same chronic shortage of homes plaguing the rest of the country, the explosion in demand resulted in house prices booming to unprecedented highs.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The fighting began last week after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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