explodes

present tense third-person singular of explode
1
as in detonates
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded

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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

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3
as in erupts
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

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 explodes In other words, if that water heater explodes, then the investor will be personally sued for negligence in not replacing it, and the liability shield of the real property company is thus circumvented. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 But traipse past the principal’s office, scale a short incline, and you’ll be rewarded with an 80-foot-long mural that explodes with color. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 As the clogged pipe grows louder, the camera begins uncomfortably zooming in on Rudd’s face until the pipe explodes in Ted's, closing out the episode. Kirsten Acuna, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Now, their extraordinary legacy explodes onto the stage in CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 At the track’s apex Korten explodes in and out of dissonant broken chords against Mark Shim’s angular saxophone lines, an unexpected development that sneaks up on you thanks to Sorey’s sticky, slowly evolving drumming. Rae-Aila Crumble, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 An oceanside inlet dubbed Thunder Hole explodes with a plume of foamy surf as waves beat the shore. Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026 So that type of ball just explodes on you. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2026 But a couple of pages later, his capsule encounters a meteoroid which explodes nearby. Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
  • If the ammunition detonates after penetration, the explosion is directed away from the crew compartment, significantly improving the crew’s chances of survival.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • But now a new ultralight player shatters the silence with an impressive solo tent that not only drops in right around 2 lb (907 oz) but does it at half the price of some of the competition.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 June 2026
  • When a window shatters, your entire home is at risk of collapse or even being blown away.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • Like Swift, Hubble is losing altitude as the sun erupts with one flare after another.
    Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, D’Arcy Carden, and Gemma Chan are the friends, which bodes well, and Timothy Olyphant pops up as an old boyfriend.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • Octavia Spencer pops in a summery blouse at the Amiri show during Paris Fashion Week on June 25.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Following the Oklahoma style, the team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef, making the patties superthin, then tops them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • More likely Brock Lesnar blows this thing up.
    Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Cher’s court documents paint a bleak picture of how Allman, 49, allegedly blows through his $120,000 annual trust distributions.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026
  • Arrrives, destroys Femi and hands Main Event Jey the crown.
    Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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