1
as in detonates
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in erupts
to develop suddenly and violently
the mayor's latest unpopular decision caused long-suppressed resentment to explode into open anger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explodes
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates from the rocket to save the astronauts, and the rocket explodes into small pieces.
—Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Still, as the AI data center build-out explodes thanks to record-breaking investments, which will hit $700 billion this year alone, some blue-collar roles are rising in demand.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Scenic designer Matthew Herman created a rectangular center stage with LED panel lighting by Sammy Webster that mimics the flourescent office lights of the past but explodes with color in a surprise dancing-on-the-tables scene.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The main weapon that the Ukrainians had used to inflict this damage was the suicide drone, which costs about $400 to make and explodes on impact.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Characters will die and the entire lab sometimes explodes, only for things to snap back to normal in the very next episode.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates from the rocket to save the astronauts, and the rocket explodes into small pieces.
—Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Still, as the AI data center build-out explodes thanks to record-breaking investments, which will hit $700 billion this year alone, some blue-collar roles are rising in demand.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Scenic designer Matthew Herman created a rectangular center stage with LED panel lighting by Sammy Webster that mimics the flourescent office lights of the past but explodes with color in a surprise dancing-on-the-tables scene.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The main weapon that the Ukrainians had used to inflict this damage was the suicide drone, which costs about $400 to make and explodes on impact.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Characters will die and the entire lab sometimes explodes, only for things to snap back to normal in the very next episode.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
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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
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But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.—
Christopher Anderson,
Vanity Fair,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Security footage provided by Elfvin shows the robot rolling directly into the side panel of a bus shelter, which shatters and showers the robot and sidewalk around it with what appears to be glass shards.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Controversy erupts at Yale as damning letter from legendary coach leaks.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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Instead, conflict frequently erupts over social and political differences emerging from foundational values and identities.—
Eranda Jayawickreme,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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There’s a sturdiness to his game that pops right away, and that usually gets teams’ attention.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Wark smashes a ball to left field for the Aggies to retake the lead, 7-5.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
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Delivery robot smashes into glass of bus shelter in Old Town on Tuesday afternoon.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the wind blows between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains, the velocity increases and carries the sand grains from the sandstone.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
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The wind buffets and blows inside the cabin, decreasing downforce and making acceleration less efficient.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rototilling also destroys earthworms and the critical beneficial microbes that interact with plant roots to keep them healthy.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Because scarring alopecia destroys the hair follicles, the resulting hair loss is permanent.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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