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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of exploding
Plenty of exploding stars are also adept at blasting outbursts of this high-energy light.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024
The exploding number of medical AI scribes — created to solve clinician burnout — is causing its own burnout.
—Erin Brodwin, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Blown to smithereens, like exploding stars strewn across the universe.
—Thomas Bass
author, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
There’s the problem of shrapnel from drones exploding and crashing, causing injuries on the ground.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Dec. 2024
Edmond was once a typical suburb of Oklahoma City before exploding in size and becoming very much its own city.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
In early November, an even more devastating wildfire charged across southern Ventura County, fanned by hurricane-force winds, exploding to nearly 20,000 acres, destroying more than 180 structures and damaging many more.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
At-home beauty tech is exploding, with LED masks and microneedling tools giving laypeople pro-level skills.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, the blaze moved at a fierce pace, exploding to more than 2,700 acres as of Tuesday afternoon with no containment.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024
The exploding number of medical AI scribes — created to solve clinician burnout — is causing its own burnout.
—Erin Brodwin, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Blown to smithereens, like exploding stars strewn across the universe.
—Thomas Bass
author, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
There’s the problem of shrapnel from drones exploding and crashing, causing injuries on the ground.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Dec. 2024
Edmond was once a typical suburb of Oklahoma City before exploding in size and becoming very much its own city.
—Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
In early November, an even more devastating wildfire charged across southern Ventura County, fanned by hurricane-force winds, exploding to nearly 20,000 acres, destroying more than 180 structures and damaging many more.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
At-home beauty tech is exploding, with LED masks and microneedling tools giving laypeople pro-level skills.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, the blaze moved at a fierce pace, exploding to more than 2,700 acres as of Tuesday afternoon with no containment.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploding
Verb
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Eyewitness accounts and mobile phone videos circulating online show that the aircraft descended steeply before crashing into the ground and erupting into flames.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Dec. 2024
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Webcam imagery shows a line of fissures erupting lava fountains feeding lava flows at the base of Halemaʻumaʻu within Kaluapele.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The National World War II Museum Arguably the best World War II museum in the world, this comprehensive collection tells the story of the war that changed the world through impressive multimedia experiences, immersive exhibits, and an eye-popping number of artifacts and first-person detail.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
24 Dec. 2024
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Teased by Russo about the eye-popping value of the contract, Smith dismissed a report earlier this month by The Athletic pegging it at $120 million, going on to briefly elaborate on his dealmaking approach.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Which program will pay the most for the valuable service of demolishing them?—
Sam Blum,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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General Motors is preparing to move out, and an ambitious redevelopment vision that would involve demolishing two RenCen towers is said to hinge on a commitment of public financing support — one that hasn't been forthcoming so far.—
JC Reindl,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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An intellectually dense film bursting with ideas, some of them contradictory, some troubling, all of them provocative.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
31 Dec. 2024
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At one point Harry Maguire tried to inject urgency, bursting forward with the ball and urging Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot to run ahead.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The most pressing problem concerns European Union rules on carbon dioxide emissions, with bottom-line-destroying fines for the bigger failures.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
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As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
2 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exploding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploding. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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