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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Recent Examples of explode
Drop-shippers The act of drop-shipping—third-party sellers filling retail orders—exploded in popularity in the late 2010s, becoming a quintessential part of online hustle culture.
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Makena Kelly, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2024
Power suiting for royal women exploded in the 1980s, thanks to the likes of pioneering fashion icons like Princess Diana, who famously wore a Catherine Walker suit with a Hackett waistcoat for an event in April 1988.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
While Japan possesses an advanced space program, other recent efforts to launch rockets into space have also failed, with the engine for Japan's flagship small rocket, the Epsilon S, exploding during a combustion test last month, marking the second consecutive failure in its development.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Growth in private credit assets has exploded over the past few years, and BlackRock sees this trend continuing through the rest of the decade, with traditional private credit AUM more than doubling.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explode 
Makena Kelly, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2024
Power suiting for royal women exploded in the 1980s, thanks to the likes of pioneering fashion icons like Princess Diana, who famously wore a Catherine Walker suit with a Hackett waistcoat for an event in April 1988.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
While Japan possesses an advanced space program, other recent efforts to launch rockets into space have also failed, with the engine for Japan's flagship small rocket, the Epsilon S, exploding during a combustion test last month, marking the second consecutive failure in its development.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Growth in private credit assets has exploded over the past few years, and BlackRock sees this trend continuing through the rest of the decade, with traditional private credit AUM more than doubling.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explode
Verb
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Some Trump loyalists see the debt ceiling as a ticking time bomb, set to detonate in the middle of Trump's first year.Hans Nichols, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
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The bomb was detonated remotely by the suspect once Kirillov was seen leaving the building, according to the FSB.Michael D. Carroll, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The sequel, released over Thanksgiving weekend, has shattered box office records and has already raked in $750 million internationally.Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
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The inaugural season of the Jamie Chadwick Series wrapped up with a resounding success, shattering records and opening new doors for young girls in the world of motorsport.Jenn Nelson, Forbes, 22 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
Verb
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Some social media users have commented on his physical appearance and called him a hero, and accounts providing updates on Mangione have popped up on sites like X, formerly known as Twitter.Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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The couple first made their relationship Instagram official in August 2022, and the next year, Jutes popped the question, on Dec. 16, 2023.Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The leaves must be smashed and not chopped for fear the blade of a knife will over-oxidize them.Thessaly La Force, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Hulu scored hits in unexpected places (reality smash The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) even as shows such as Futurama and Only Murders in the Building continued to be quiet streaming hits.Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In 2021, digital health startups raised $29.1 billion, blowing past all previous funding records, according to a report from Rock Health.Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024
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The only real blemish on the Colts’ victory Sunday was their defense, whose poor tackling nearly resulted in the team blowing a 38-7 lead.James Boyd, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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As a result, crews had already demolished The Dolphin Restaurant, which was built in the 1960s, to make room to fix missing and damaged pilings.Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
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During the uprising, students demolished or defaced thousands of statues that Ms. Hasina had erected of her father.Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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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Major guild strikes ended last year and the streaming bubble burst from 2022 has given platforms at least some time to recover since.Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 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 31 Dec. 2024.
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