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
At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.
—
Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
This upgrade requires packs to withstand thermal runaway without igniting or exploding.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
His post included a video of a small boat exploding after being hit.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Musashi regularly rides jet skis and uses helicopter missiles like airborne surf boards, slicing up and exploding commandos and demons along the way.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
One group is connected to solar flares exploding from small regions of the sun, while the other population is connected to larger, more powerful outbursts of plasma called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Cena came exploding out of the corner with another big clothesline to level the playing field.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Maybe that makes Bugonia sound sort of fun—and the movie does contain some ridiculously over-the-top exploding-bodies gore—but Lanthimos goes out of his way to amp up the story’s ugly, brutish qualities.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Like an exploding volcano, the Garnet Fire in the Central Sierra Nevada is sending a pyrocumulus plume up to 35,000 feet, the cruising altitude of planes, and is now producing lightning.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
This upgrade requires packs to withstand thermal runaway without igniting or exploding.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
His post included a video of a small boat exploding after being hit.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Musashi regularly rides jet skis and uses helicopter missiles like airborne surf boards, slicing up and exploding commandos and demons along the way.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
One group is connected to solar flares exploding from small regions of the sun, while the other population is connected to larger, more powerful outbursts of plasma called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Cena came exploding out of the corner with another big clothesline to level the playing field.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Maybe that makes Bugonia sound sort of fun—and the movie does contain some ridiculously over-the-top exploding-bodies gore—but Lanthimos goes out of his way to amp up the story’s ugly, brutish qualities.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Like an exploding volcano, the Garnet Fire in the Central Sierra Nevada is sending a pyrocumulus plume up to 35,000 feet, the cruising altitude of planes, and is now producing lightning.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Despite the ongoing discourse of economic slowdown, tariff threats and interest rate concerns, the richest Americans are shattering wealth records.—
Forbes Press Releases,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The result is nonetheless shattering, for the characters and the audience.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ahmad Hardy continued his stellar start to the season, erupting for a single-game career-best 250 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Images have emerged of disorder erupting in the capital.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Demolition derbies bring the sounds of revving engines and metal crashing into metal to rural arenas all over Arkansas, especially during this time of year when county fairs are popping up.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Travel and socializing with friends, neighbors, and siblings could also be popping up for you quite soon.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shoplifting became a political lighting rod, and videos of thieves smashing store windows and grabbing merchandise rocketed across the news and social media as a symbol of a breakdown across cities.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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While Bills Mafia holds dear traditions like smashing into tables and dousing a superfan in condiments before games, the group also developed a philanthropic bent.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As health restrictions discouraged people from blowing directly into instruments, Gajewski and Brown reimagined the design.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An affectionate little cat with a heart bursting with love for humans is looking for a home at a Texas shelter.—
TJ Macias,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The novel sparkles with Sosa’s signature wit and sense of humor; the banter between Javi and Mari is deliciously funny, bursting with laugh-out-loud moments on seemingly every other page.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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