1
as in has a fit
to become very angry
she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explodes
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 shatters
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
as in cracks up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively
the advertisement blows the new soda up to the point where I half expected to be transported to a higher level of consciousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blows up
Walter recommends that budding creators parse through their analytics when a video blows up—and warns not to pop the champagne too fast.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 May 2026
As one pipe blows up under their feet, two mercs go motionless and begin to drift away into the void.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Think about movements that happen when a person blows up a balloon.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Hunter consistently blows up running plays, ripping right through the interior of college offensive lines.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
For example, his steady job working in a bookstore blows up when it is set on fire and destroyed by those bullies ruling the neighborhood.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
Tommy plants the warehouse bomb that blows up the fake British currency.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
The lead blows up, the other team’s fans laugh, roll closing credits.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
This, if possible, blows up in her face even more spectacularly than the brunch fiasco.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 May 2026
As one pipe blows up under their feet, two mercs go motionless and begin to drift away into the void.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Think about movements that happen when a person blows up a balloon.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
Hunter consistently blows up running plays, ripping right through the interior of college offensive lines.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
For example, his steady job working in a bookstore blows up when it is set on fire and destroyed by those bullies ruling the neighborhood.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
Tommy plants the warehouse bomb that blows up the fake British currency.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
The lead blows up, the other team’s fans laugh, roll closing credits.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
This, if possible, blows up in her face even more spectacularly than the brunch fiasco.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
-
Every note just explodes off the instrument.—
Charlie Harding,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
-
After 10 years of dormancy, the desert explodes with color, attracting visitors and pollinators alike.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The other, from the southwest Khuzestan province, has a filling of dates, walnuts and coconut and pastry that shatters like a shell.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 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
-
During one particularly fun moment shared by the LPGA Tour on Instagram, Clark cracks up at Cunningham's energetic approach to the sport — which ended in her accidentally hitting a fan with the ball.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef to make the patties superthin, then top them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Yang smashes the model minority stereotype by creating a deeply flawed antihero and deliciously twisty tale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
As might be expected from one of Latin America’s most idiosyncratic innovators, the film’s title announces more than its obvious relationship to its predecessor.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Names Marmion President, CEO The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association announces the selection of Dave Marmion as its next president and chief executive officer.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Security snarls The TSA PreCheck line at terminal B in LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, on March 27, 2026.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Beyond the red tape that snarls any new apartment, condominiums confront an additional hurdle.—
M. Nolan Gray,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Thirty years later, that daughter walks into a therapist’s office — and blows the cover off a landmine she was never meant to touch.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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