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
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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
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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
Just as the universe expanded rapidly after its inception, technology is exploding into new realms, redefining industries and reshaping our future.
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John Roese, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
When things aren’t exploding in choreographed hand-to-hand combat or noisy firefights, there is much discussion of feelings and relationships, to the extent that double lives allow.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
In the last decade, the activity of birdwatching has exploded in Colombia, said Ocampo-Peñuela, who also studies ecotourism.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 4 Dec. 2024
The Cybertruck caught fire and fully burned, but the Piedmont Police Department told KRON the vehicle's battery did not explode or burst into flames.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explode 
John Roese, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
When things aren’t exploding in choreographed hand-to-hand combat or noisy firefights, there is much discussion of feelings and relationships, to the extent that double lives allow.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
In the last decade, the activity of birdwatching has exploded in Colombia, said Ocampo-Peñuela, who also studies ecotourism.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 4 Dec. 2024
The Cybertruck caught fire and fully burned, but the Piedmont Police Department told KRON the vehicle's battery did not explode or burst into flames.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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On Wednesday, a suicide bomber disguised himself as a visitor to the Ministry of Refugees compound, detonating his bomb as Haqqani was signing paperwork, a ministry spokesperson told CNN.Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania were able to persuade a simulated self-driving car to ignore stop signs and even drive off a bridge, get a wheeled robot to find the best place to detonate a bomb, and force a four-legged robot to spy on people and enter restricted areas.Will Knight, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The star, who suffered a horrific snowplow accident on New Year’s Day nearly two years ago that shattered 38 bones, discussed his career and more in a wide-ranging on-stage appearance at Culture Square in the second-largest Saudi city’s old town Al-Balad.Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
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The numbers exploded from the jump and never relented, with world records shattering one after the other.Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But as with all things the Griswolds do, everything goes wrong, mayhem erupts and absolute comedy ensues.Keith Langston, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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The verdict remained in doubt through two periods, but then the Penguins erupted for six goals in a 14:02 span in the third period to turn this game into an absolute laugher.Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
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Plus, Simba’s daughter Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) pops up looking less like a collector’s National Geographic and more like a flesh-and-blood Neopet somehow got offline.Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024
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Since Timothée Chalamet crashed his own lookalike contest in New York City, copycat competitions for other male stars like Paul Mescal, Dev Patel, Zayn Malik and more have popped up across the country.Brendan Le, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Amid six minutes of bidding the watch soared to its final price of $840,000, totally smashing its $60,000 high estimate.Anthony DeMarco, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
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The burglar smashed the Plexiglass case that held the slippers and absconded with them.Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Your emotional endurance, positive disposition, unbelievable talent (that blows me away), undeniable humor and loving, kind heart absolutely kill me.Marina Watts, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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To have someone so esteemed give that sort of affirmation about my work really just blew me away.Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Once, in a stadium since demolished, the Orioles won three world championships; the Baltimore Colts did the same.Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 13 Dec. 2024
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Subsequently demolished and rebuilt by Simo Design and Fischer Construction, the sleek wood and stone structure ultimately sold to Bay-Schuck in late 2019 for $11 million.Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024
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Also overnight Tuesday, Ukrainian forces struck an oil-loading pipeline which burst alight near the city of Bryansk, 60 miles north of the Ukrainian border, according to Ukraine's General Staff.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Or Shamar Joseph bursting through Australia in Brisbane.Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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