Explode (Verb)
Meaning 1
Increase rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner; "The population of India is exploding"; "The island's rodent population irrupted".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The city's housing market has exploded in recent years, with prices skyrocketing to unaffordable levels.
- If the government does not implement new policies, the national debt will explode and cause economic chaos.
- The popularity of social media has exploded over the past decade, transforming the way people interact with each other.
- As global temperatures continue to rise, the number of intense natural disasters is likely to explode.
- E-commerce sales are exploding due to the increasingly widespread use of smartphones and online shopping.
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Meaning 2
Cause to burst with a violent release of energy; "We exploded the nuclear bomb".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The scientists warned that the unstable chemical could explode if heated too quickly.
- We exploded the firework in the sky, and it lit up the entire neighborhood.
- The electrical malfunction caused the old appliance to explode, requiring emergency repairs.
- The artist had carefully crafted the experimental sculpture, hoping it would explode in a breathtaking display of sound and light.
- In a dramatic demonstration, the instructor exploded a small device to illustrate the power of compressed gases.
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Meaning 3
Cause to burst as a result of air pressure; of stop consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/.
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The air pocket in the tire began to explode as the temperature dropped rapidly and the air inside expanded.
- The balloon kept growing until it was going to explode if it got any more inflated.
- This time the bottle did indeed explode when the cork popped loudly, scattering pieces everywhere.
- Eventually the air trapped inside the diver's lungs started to explode all the air spaces in his chest.
- After the engine overheated the radiator too started to explode pushing hot water upwards in a plume.
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Meaning 4
Show (a theory or claim) to be baseless, or refute and make obsolete.
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- New evidence has exploded the myth that the company's success was a result of good management.
- Critics claim the film's flaws will explode the notion of it being a masterpiece.
- The recent study has exploded the long-held theory of climate change being caused by a single factor.
- The book debunks common assumptions and explodes the idea that major events occur by chance.
- In her lecture, the economist exploded the theory that the new policy will fix the country's economic problems.
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
Drive from the stage by noisy disapproval.
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The comedian's set began to unravel as the crowd started to jeer, and he would likely explode from the verbal abuse if he didn't wrap up soon.
- The hecklers in the audience were relentless, trying to get under the performer's skin and watching eagerly as he started to explode under the pressure.
- After one embarrassing mistake too many, the politician's carefully crafted facade began to explode under the scrutiny of the hostile crowd.
- The volatile temper of the frustrated actor was about to explode, fueled by his inability to remember the lines in front of such a large audience.
- As the enraged concert-goer took issue with the singer's remark, it seemed as though she might explode in a fit of rage at any moment.
Meaning 6
Show a violent emotional reaction; "The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- She exploded at the sight of her destroyed garden after the storm.
- The father exploded when his son told him about the speeding ticket.
- The principal exploded during the parents' meeting when she was confronted about the budget issues.
- He exploded at the news that his trusted business partner had been stealing from the company.
- The fans exploded into cheers when their team scored the winning goal.
Hypernyms
Meaning 7
Be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise; "His anger exploded".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The crowd's frustration with the government finally exploded into mass protests.
- Her emotions exploded in a mix of laughter and tears when she received the good news.
- The fireworks exploded in a beautiful display of colors across the night sky.
- The artist's true talent exploded onto the scene when she showcased her paintings.
- The volcano erupted as pent-up pressure beneath the surface began to explode.
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Meaning 8
Destroy by exploding; "The enemy exploded the bridge".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The bomb was designed to explode the massive steel door and allow the troops to gain entry.
- Demolition experts carefully calculated the precise amount of dynamite needed to explode the old building.
- A lone terrorist attempted to explode the fuel tanker, but was thwarted by a sharp-eyed security guard.
- The rebels planned to explode the key infrastructure targets, bringing the entire city to a standstill.
- A faulty gas pipe caused the airship to explode the moment it took off from the ground.
Hypernyms
Meaning 9
Burst outward, usually with noise; "The champagne bottle exploded".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The firework exploded in the night sky, showering sparks in all directions.
- If I don't properly maintain the pressure cooker, it might explode.
- Balloons can explode if overfilled with air.
- The old dynamite was in danger of exploding from the heat.
- Too much pressure caused the pipe to explode and release a burst of steam.
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Meaning 10
Burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction; "the bomb detonated at noon"; "The Molotov cocktail exploded".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The highly unstable chemical compound would explode if not handled carefully.
- When heated to a high temperature, the container began to explode releasing steam into the air.
- The faulty propane tank was on the verge of exploding, forcing the residents to evacuate the area immediately.
- On New Year's Eve, fireworks will explode into vibrant colors illuminating the night sky.
- A massive wildfire erupted when a downed power line exploded in the dry underbrush.