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
Authorities have given no indication that there is a danger of the Moss Landing Power Plant exploding, and the fire is contained to the adjacent battery facility.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
With shells exploding across Khartoum, the capital, Ahmed and fellow students first mobilized to evacuate their university.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Palm trees caught on fire around them, exploding into columns of flames and showering the earth with sparks.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Peters scribbled his scoop on X and the update exploded, generating more than 3M views.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explode 
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
With shells exploding across Khartoum, the capital, Ahmed and fellow students first mobilized to evacuate their university.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Palm trees caught on fire around them, exploding into columns of flames and showering the earth with sparks.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Peters scribbled his scoop on X and the update exploded, generating more than 3M views.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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An incendiary device was detonated, destroying ballots about a week before Election Day.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
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Their actual plan was to detonate a bomb on the stairs that Dr. Nichols and Hank were secretly carrying on a fake medical stretcher.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For the most social of butterflies, this fall’s Italy, France, and Ibiza cruise is set to shatter records for the largest gay cruise to set sail across Europe, uniting more than 4,000 passengers on the massive Odyssey of the Seas.—
Jared Ranahan,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
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Some areas in the Panhandle recorded over half a foot of snow, shattering long-standing snow records, CBS Miami reported.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Hughes fire, which erupted last week, prompted additional evacuations and has charred more than 10,000 acres.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
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The two wildfires, which erupted on Jan. 7 about 40 miles apart, are the second and third most destructive fires in California’s history and killed 28 people, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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Posting the ground on Rightmove has helped spark plenty of interest among those not used to seeing a sports ground pop up on a website mostly used to buy and sell houses in the United Kingdom.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
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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Is this a lot of hocus pocus or a computational paradigm that might blow current capabilities out of the water and make NVDA look like, well, Intel of prior years?—
Vineer Bhansali,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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The Eagles defense also uncharacteristically blew several coverages in Week 16, including on two of Daniels’ five touchdown passes.—
Ted Nguyen,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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No one was injured but city officials decided the situation could not continue and have made plans to demolish the structures and clear the site.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
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New Orleans demolished its most recent highest snow total, which was 2.7 inches in 1963.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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What used to be a one-stop barbecue shop is now a city bursting with countless dining options and cuisines, from street tacos to one of the best bowls of pho in the country.—
Caitlin Morton,
AFAR Media,
27 Jan. 2025
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Fast radio burst traced to 'dead' galaxy The recent burst, called FRB 20240209A, throws that theory into question.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Explode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explode. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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