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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of explode
What to know about the California windstorm and wildfires
A brush fire exploded in size amid powerful winds in northwest Los Angeles Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of at least 30,000 residents in the affluent community of Pacific Palisades.
—
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Lopez says her 'whole f---ing world exploded' amid Ben Affleck divorce, but 'a relationship doesn't define me'
Per the terms of their split, neither star will pay the other spousal support.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
But another key subject of scrutiny is a concrete structure at the end of the runway that the airliner slammed into before exploding in a fireball.
—River Akira Davis, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The launch failure this week followed the first attempt to launch the Kairos rocket in March, when the launcher exploded just five seconds after liftoff.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explode 
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Lopez says her 'whole f---ing world exploded' amid Ben Affleck divorce, but 'a relationship doesn't define me'
Per the terms of their split, neither star will pay the other spousal support.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
But another key subject of scrutiny is a concrete structure at the end of the runway that the airliner slammed into before exploding in a fireball.
—River Akira Davis, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The launch failure this week followed the first attempt to launch the Kairos rocket in March, when the launcher exploded just five seconds after liftoff.
—Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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Bond squad technicians removed the devices from the vehicle and detonated them in a nearby park, the sheriff's office reported.—
Cara Tabachnick,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2025
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President Biden revealed in remarks on Thursday that there was found to be a remote detonator in the truck of the deceased suspect, Jabbar, that seemingly was meant to set off those explosives, but again, they were not detonated.—
Taylor Wilson,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With Houston shattering records at San Diego High School and Wiggins starring at La Jolla Country Day, the two made America’s Finest City the nation’s premier destination for women’s college basketball recruiters in 2004.—
Kyle Kensing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Jan. 2025
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The cameras came back to the duo, who revealed Kotb’s glass had shattered during the commercial break, and she was covered in wine.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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At least two wildfires ignited in Southern California during critical fire weather and triggered fresh evacuations on Tuesday, one week after deadly blazes first erupted across Los Angeles County.—
Rebecca Falconer,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
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Social-media use intensified the new dynamics of online activism: The most striking early Twitter mobbing erupted in December 2013.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As the fires continue to devastate Los Angeles, new fundraisers continue to pop up on GoFundMe: one for a 15-year-old soliciting help for his mother, another for a 94-year-old artist who lost a lifetime’s worth of paintings and writing.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
17 Jan. 2025
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Bagel lovers can pre-order for Friday pickups or pop in on Saturdays and Sundays at 8am for loose bagels, 11am for bagel sandwiches. 🍚 Roots Natural Kitchen's third Richmond location opened last weekend in Midlothian in the Winterfield Crossing shopping center.—
Karri Peifer,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps the elder Buffett has softened his opinion on dividends as Berkshire’s cash pile continued to smash records.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
19 Jan. 2025
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Instead, Villain tried to smash her face into the food.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Credit them with winning 10 games although losing three of their last four and blowing a chance to win the ACC championship and get into the playoff put a huge damper on the season.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
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Employers added 256,000 jobs in December, blowing past economists' expectations and signaling that the job market remains resilient in the face of still-high borrowing rates and stickier-than-expected inflation.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The plan is a major change for Jackson Memorial Hospital, which would demolish two office buildings across from a Metrorail station in 2027 to make way for affordable and workforce housing in two towers filled with shops, a hotel and more than 800 apartments.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2025
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At least one of the buildings was soon to be demolished altogether, its red-brick walls dumped into its 1921 foundation.—
Jon Marcus,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Last April, 174 people were stranded for up to 23 hours when a pod on a cable car line in southern Turkey hit a pole and burst open for unknown reasons, killing one and injuring seven.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Jan. 2025
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Editor’s picks The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Though he’s known for being slightly reticent in interviews, today, Bad Bunny is fully charged and bursting with stories.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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