blowup 1 of 2

blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building blew up because of a gas leak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to smash
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blowup
Noun
The political fractures exposed by the MAGA blowup weren’t surprising to him. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 The probe has already braved coronal mass ejections, major blowups that spew the sun’s plasma out into the solar system. Becky Ferreira, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
Along the way, the show reinvented itself twice: Alias blew up its premise in a bold post-Super Bowl episode, then pulled the rug out from Sydney yet again in a jaw-dropping finale. EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025 During closing arguments Thursday, defense attorneys showed blown up still frames of the purse on the couch, amplifying the prosecutor’s error. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
Noun
  • And Aeromexico is giving denizens of the Valley of the Sun a new option to Mexico City’s diverse cultural scene, delicious food, and historic sights.
    Edward Russell, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025
  • There are at least eight candidates already in the race and lawmakers who do not want him back in office have been working behind the scenes to draft additional candidates to fend off Cuomo’s candidacy.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Both years saw eruptions at the Crater Peak vent, located two miles south of the volcano’s summit.
    Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
  • This week, lava fountains from Kilauea's north vent reached heights of 330 feet during the early hours of the eruption, with a slow effusion of lava from the south vent later.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The meeting angered Democrats, who were horrified by Trump and Vice President Vance's conduct.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The brand also angered left-leaning customers because of its conciliatory response to right-wing attacks.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel in the truck's bed are believed to have been detonated using a device operated by the driver.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Dive towards the ground, dealing damage to enemies and detonating any Flame Fields hit.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The robber smashes various display cases and loads jewelry into his backpack before running back to the car.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Two Riverside officers have been charged after one smashed a resident’s skateboard in a viral video.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The scene makes Perkins crack up — Death looks tired and haggard, his job is never done (especially this week), and while the father-son may have escaped this round, their paths will cross in some unknowable way in the future.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The characters’ awkward and absurd interactions were so funny, none of the four actors could help cracking up.
    John Russell, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • The huffs and hums, produced by two women standing face-to-face and vocalizing from their throats, is believed to be one of the oldest music forms in the world.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • Given the explosion of WNBA collectibles — a Caitlin Clark rookie card sold for $234,850 back in December, or roughly the current max salary a WNBA player can earn under the current CBA — this is some extremely high-value territory.
    Howard Megdal, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Plans for the upcoming flight test, which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced this week, come a little more than a month since the last Starship launch ended in an explosion minutes after lifting off from Starbase in South Texas.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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