explode

[ ik-splohd ]
See synonyms for explode on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),ex·plod·ed, ex·plod·ing.
  1. to expand with force and noise because of rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine (opposed to implode).

  2. to burst, fly into pieces, or break up violently with a loud report, as a boiler from excessive pressure of steam.

  1. to burst forth violently or emotionally, especially with noise, laughter, violent speech, etc.: He exploded with rage when contradicted.

  2. Phonetics. (of plosives) to terminate the occlusive phase with a plosion.: Compare implode (def. 2).

  3. Golf. to play an explosion shot on a golf ball.

verb (used with object),ex·plod·ed, ex·plod·ing.
  1. to cause (gunpowder, a boiler, etc.) to explode.

  2. to cause to be rejected; destroy the repute of; discredit or disprove: to explode a theory.

  1. Phonetics. to end with plosion.

  2. Golf. to play an explosion shot on (a golf ball).

  3. Obsolete. to drive (a player, play, etc.) from the stage by loud expressions of disapprobation.

Origin of explode

1
First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin explōdere “to drive off by clapping, drive away,” from ex- ex-1 + -plōdere, variant stem of plaudere “to clap” (cf. applaud )

Other words from explode

  • ex·plod·er, noun
  • pre·ex·plode, verb, pre·ex·plod·ed, pre·ex·plod·ing.
  • un·ex·plod·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use explode in a sentence

  • While they were talking another shell entered the small apartment, exploded, and filled the air with dust and stifling fumes.

    The Red Year | Louis Tracy
  • Blazing blobs of light exploded within his brain, and then the total blackness of unconsciousness funneled down upon his brain.

  • On July 30, 1864 the mine was exploded, and the shape of the area after the explosion resembled a huge crater of a volcano.

  • When the old Ptolemaic system was exploded by Copernicus, the vaunted wisdom of men proclaimed that the Bible also was exploded.

    Gospel Philosophy | J. H. Ward
  • Just the same, that bit you exploded—about the person who killed Carmack didn't hate him at all—you meant that, Beardsley!

    We're Friends, Now | Henry Hasse

British Dictionary definitions for explode

explode

/ (ɪkˈspləʊd) /


verb
  1. to burst or cause to burst with great violence as a result of internal pressure, esp through the detonation of an explosive; blow up

  2. to destroy or be destroyed in this manner: to explode a bridge

  1. (of a gas) to undergo or cause (a gas) to undergo a sudden violent expansion, accompanied by heat, light, a shock wave, and a loud noise, as a result of a fast uncontrolled exothermic chemical or nuclear reaction

  2. (intr) to react suddenly or violently with emotion, etc: to explode with anger

  3. (intr) (esp of a population) to increase rapidly

  4. (tr) to show (a theory, etc) to be baseless; refute and make obsolete

  5. (tr) phonetics to pronounce (a stop) with audible plosion

Origin of explode

1
C16: from Latin explōdere to drive off by clapping, hiss (an actor) off, from ex- 1 + plaudere to clap

Derived forms of explode

  • exploder, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012