- 1[intransitive, transitive] to burst, or to make something burst, loudly and violently, causing damage synonym blow up Bombs were exploding all around the city. The firework exploded in his hand. explode something There was a huge bang as if someone had exploded a rocket outside. Bomb disposal experts exploded the device under controlled conditions. compare implode get angry/dangerous
- 2[intransitive, transitive] (of a person or situation) to suddenly become very angry or dangerous explode (with something) Suddenly Charles exploded with rage. explode (into something) The protest exploded into a riot. Tension between the two sides could explode at any time. + speech “Of course there's something wrong!” Jim exploded.
- 3[intransitive] explode (into/with something) to suddenly express an emotion We all exploded into wild laughter. move suddenly
- 4[intransitive] explode (into something) to suddenly and quickly do something; to move suddenly with a lot of force After ten minutes, the game exploded into life. make loud noise
- 5[intransitive] to make a sudden very loud noise Thunder exploded overhead. increase quickly
- 6[intransitive] to increase suddenly and very quickly in number the exploding world population show something is not true
- 7[transitive] explode something to show that something is not true, especially something that people believe At last, here is a women's magazine to explode the myth that thin equals beautiful. Thesaurusexplode
- blow up
- go off
- burst
- erupt
- detonate
- explode to burst loudly and violently, causing damage; to make something burst in this way:The jet smashed into a hillside and exploded. The bomb was exploded under controlled conditions.
- blow (something) up (somewhat informal) to be destroyed by an explosion; to destroy something by an explosion:A police officer was killed when her car blew up.
- go off (of a bomb) to explode; (of a gun) to be fired:The bomb went off in a crowded street. When used about guns, the choice of go off (instead of “be fired”) can suggest that the gun was fired by accident.
- burst to break open or apart, especially because of pressure from inside; to make something break in this way:A water pipe burst and flooded the kitchen.
- erupt (of a volcano) to throw out burning rocks and smoke; (of burning rocks and smoke) to be thrown out of a volcano:Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980.
- detonate (somewhat formal) (of a bomb) to explode; to make a bomb explode:Two other bombs failed to detonate.
- a bomb explodes/blows up/goes off/bursts/detonates
- a car/plane/vehicle explodes/blows up
- a firework/rocket explodes/goes off
explode verbexplosion nounexplosive adjective noununexploded adjectiveexplode verbexplosion nounexplosive adjective noununexploded adjective
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NAmE//ɪkˈsploʊd//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they explode he / she / it explodes
past simple exploded
-ing form exploding
Check pronunciation: explode