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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
What once was a niche sport predominantly associated with European car enthusiasts has exploded into an America-size media and entertainment spectacle.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Starship, however, is still in the early stages of development and has often exploded during testing.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Sudan plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
The chip-loving aliens succeed, but the snack food's bold flavor causes their flying saucer to split in half and explode, ending with a crunchy cross-universe cultural exchange.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Starship, however, is still in the early stages of development and has often exploded during testing.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Sudan plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
The chip-loving aliens succeed, but the snack food's bold flavor causes their flying saucer to split in half and explode, ending with a crunchy cross-universe cultural exchange.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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An explosive test can mean many different things While the major nuclear powers have not detonated a nuclear bomb in decades, that doesn't mean work on nuclear weapons stopped.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
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The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.—
John Wrory Ficklin,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there are no predictions of record-shattering win totals this time – even as the Dodgers head into the season as favorites to three-peat.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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News of the possible project erupted last month after reports emerged that the federal government was eyeing the large, empty warehouse in a south Kansas City industrial park for an immigration detention center with thousands of beds.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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Violence erupted in Kansas in 1854, not over fugitive slaves but over the prospect of slavery taking hold there.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There was a short pursuit on the freeway, which ended when a tire blew on the SUV.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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Taubitz remains the one to beat, but after her teammate faltered on her third run, the medal competition was blown open.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The cars, about 20 of them, had their windows smashed and looked as though they were made in the 1940s or 1950s.—
Kathleen Hill,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
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The bike then smashes into a metal barricade before coming to rest against a parked car.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The tense conversation continued for several minutes before a peculiar discrepancy popped up.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
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So Hernández’s eye-popping rise feels like a major ballot-changing moment.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The former Portage Township Schools Administration building will be the first to be demolished this spring when workers begin preparing to build the new Aylesworth Middle School.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Marlin burst through the building yelling, according to several people working there that morning.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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After flooding and damage from bursting pipes worsened over the past week and a half at the troubled Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill, town officials officially condemned 200 apartments in the massive complex Thursday afternoon.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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