1
as in detonating
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 shattering
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 erupting
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 exploding
Atlanta trailed 25-13 after one quarter before exploding for 34 points in the second, the team's highest-scoring second quarter of the season, to flip the game entirely.
—
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 15 June 2026
In a recent blog post, Asha Sharma laid out many issues ranging from tiny division margins to exploding component costs, all balanced with its biggest gamer complaint, a lack of big Xbox first-party games, and namely big first-party games that are Xbox exclusives.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
One video seemed to show an egg exploding on a pole near Wembanyama outside of the entrance to the team hotel.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
Luke Littler, the 19-year-old darts player from England, has shaken the foundation of his sport, shattering records and exploding to global fame.
—Time, 9 June 2026
The aging population is exploding in Connecticut.
—Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
This means black holes go out with a bang, with lower-mass PBHs exploding at different epochs of the universe.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The second Starship test flight occurred about seven months later, in November 2023, aligning with Blue Origin's hopeful timeline for LC-36, but damage from the power of a rocket's engines, and damage from that entire rocket exploding on the launchpad are different levels of destruction.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 15 June 2026
In a recent blog post, Asha Sharma laid out many issues ranging from tiny division margins to exploding component costs, all balanced with its biggest gamer complaint, a lack of big Xbox first-party games, and namely big first-party games that are Xbox exclusives.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
One video seemed to show an egg exploding on a pole near Wembanyama outside of the entrance to the team hotel.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
Luke Littler, the 19-year-old darts player from England, has shaken the foundation of his sport, shattering records and exploding to global fame.
—Time, 9 June 2026
The aging population is exploding in Connecticut.
—Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
This means black holes go out with a bang, with lower-mass PBHs exploding at different epochs of the universe.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
The second Starship test flight occurred about seven months later, in November 2023, aligning with Blue Origin's hopeful timeline for LC-36, but damage from the power of a rocket's engines, and damage from that entire rocket exploding on the launchpad are different levels of destruction.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Investigators found that Aliji intended to drive a Volkswagen Beetle equipped with fake police sirens and flashing blue lights toward crowds outside the venue before detonating explosives concealed inside a Red Bull can.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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Its material originated during October 1977 sessions at Memphis’ Ardent Studios, where the original lineup — the late Lux Interior, Poison Ivy, Bryan Gregory and Nick Knox — worked with Chilton shortly before detonating the underground rock landscape.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
27 May 2026
Verb
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People in the crowd also took bats to five NYPD vehicles and jumped on them, shattering front and back windows, officials said.—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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Videos online showed Knicks fans stomping on Citi Bikes, climbing street lamps, shattering windows and attacking taxi cabs.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Broadcasting that day, NBC cut to an ultrawide shot of the crowd erupting in jubilation.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 June 2026
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With little apparent progress in the peace talks, Israel and Iran firing at each other again, and the Houthis joining the fight, the risk of the war fully erupting again appeared higher than at any point since the ceasefire.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The 21-year-old slugger has hit four homers in 28 games and 109 plate appearances this year, popping one in each of his last two games.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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My colleague Christopher Reynolds reported that, as of May, northbound traffic at Ragged Point, the southern gateway to Big Sur, has risen an eye-popping 900% year-over-year, and local businesses are experiencing their busiest summer in years.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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One video appeared to show two people jumping onto the roof of an NYPD vehicle and smashing its windshield.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Yes to hugging and high-fiving a stranger; no to tearing down a lamppost and smashing a cop car.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Instead, he was left with his tail between his legs and claimed that the Spurs actually dominated the series despite blowing leads in all four of their losses.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Workers in the early morning of June 13 took down the president's signage after blowing past a June 12 deadline to comply with a judge's order.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Indeed, many media observers—inside and outside the network—have gone so far as to suggest that demolishing the status quo seems to be central to Weiss’s mandate.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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In February 2024, police gave him and his wife minutes to pack before demolishing their home.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Dishes use local produce but combine them with Asian ingredients for a light meal that’s bursting with flavors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
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But with Skydance’s reputation for quality game titles and Paramount’s vast library, there’s potential to carve out a space in a market that’s crowded to the point of bursting.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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