1
as in detonates
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shatters
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in erupts
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 explodes
Based on the book by Slow Horses scribe Mick Herron, in Down Cemetery Road, when a house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb and a girl disappears in the aftermath, neighbor Sarah Trafford (Wilson) becomes obsessed with finding her and enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson).
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Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Eventually, that moment comes when the artist explodes.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 22 Sep. 2025
Momo watches from a distance, and the devastation leads her to crush a piece of Nanoskin in her hand, which briefly forms a heart before melting away as her home explodes behind her.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
This type usually forms when a massive star explodes at the ends of its short life and its core collapses.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2025
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.
—Stephan Lendi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Conclave feels like a very architectural, sparse, mathematical film, [whereas] Ballad felt to me like a chaotic pop opera that explodes at the seams.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The ball explodes off his foot.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explodes
Verb
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Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
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Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.—
Verb
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Continue reading … HEAT HISTORY – Padres flamethrower shatters MLB record with jaw-dropping pitch in playoff battle.—
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Gunfire shatters windows at The Grand The fatal shooting in August was the latest incident amid ongoing crime problems there, the lawsuit says.—
Verb
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When the volcano erupts, Mario and Dani have to navigate its danger and their sentiments for each other.—
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Chaos soon erupts around Shibuya Crossing, and a massive flood consumes everything.—
Verb
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Will his focus remain the same when the first trade rumor pops up?—
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Harrison pops in and out of these different iterations of the characters seamlessly, dropping Midlands slang in his baby blue trackies one moment and then fiercely fighting back tears the next.—
Verb
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The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.—
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The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Verb
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Vandy isn’t going to line up and trade blows with Alabama.—
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The Dallas Cowboys were part of an instant classic on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, trading blows all game before the matchup ultimately went into overtime and ended in a 40-40 tie.—
Verb
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Verb
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Most of the time, a person’s immune system identifies and destroys these cells.—
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Jake and Vince have an unbreakable bond that destroys everyone and everything, but as Law points out, their issues are rooted in their early family life.—
Cite this Entry
“Explodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explodes. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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