1
2
as in to spend
to use up carelessly
each year he blows his holiday bonus on a trip to Las Vegas
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3
as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
a huge crater was formed when the volcano last blew
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4
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
one false move and we would be blown to bits
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5
as in to speed
to proceed or move quickly
that car blew past us as if we were standing still
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6
as in to fumble
to make or do (something) in a clumsy or unskillful way
he keeps blowing every job interview that comes his way
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7
as in to brag
to praise or express pride in one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess
another self-made millionaire blowing about how much he'd achieved
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as in knock
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
he was dizzy for the rest of the day after the blow to his head
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as in gust
a sudden brief rush of wind
the ocean blows that sweep over the island are so strong that only the hardiest shrubs can grow there
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blow
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025
The Rays led 2-0 with a chance to blow things open in the sixth inning after loading the bases with none out against Braves newcomer Rafael Montero on two walks and a single.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration suffered a blow on Friday after a judge issued a temporary injunction preventing it from slashing Maine's federal school lunch funding in a bid to force the state to ban transgender students from competing in girls' sports.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blow
Verb
His size doesn’t exactly blow you out of the water — not exactly the biggest dude at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds — but the natural talent is special.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025
The Rays led 2-0 with a chance to blow things open in the sixth inning after loading the bases with none out against Braves newcomer Rafael Montero on two walks and a single.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
The decision marked a blow to the Justice Department, who pressed U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer to lift his ban — which was more extensive than the earlier agreement the administration reached to temporarily limit access to two DOGE personnel: Marko Elez and Tom Krause.
—Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration suffered a blow on Friday after a judge issued a temporary injunction preventing it from slashing Maine's federal school lunch funding in a bid to force the state to ban transgender students from competing in girls' sports.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blow
Cite this Entry
“Blow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blow. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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