explode
to expand with force and noise because of rapid chemical change or decomposition, as gunpowder or nitroglycerine (opposed to implode).
to burst, fly into pieces, or break up violently with a loud report, as a boiler from excessive pressure of steam.
to burst forth violently or emotionally, especially with noise, laughter, violent speech, etc.: He exploded with rage when contradicted.
Phonetics. (of plosives) to terminate the occlusive phase with a plosion.: Compare implode (def. 2).
Golf. to play an explosion shot on a golf ball.
to cause (gunpowder, a boiler, etc.) to explode.
to cause to be rejected; destroy the repute of; discredit or disprove: to explode a theory.
Phonetics. to end with plosion.
Golf. to play an explosion shot on (a golf ball).
Obsolete. to drive (a player, play, etc.) from the stage by loud expressions of disapprobation.
Origin of explode
1Other 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
This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.
Woods were shredded, the earth trembled and the ground exploded in showers of stone and red-hot metal splinters.
Pratt, of course, just exploded with Guardians of the Galaxy and the upcoming lead in Jurassic World.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Reveal Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt’s Plans For ‘Ghostbusters’ Film | William Boot | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSuicideGirls launched in September 2001, and by December, the site had exploded, and was featured on Nightline.
Masters of Alt Sex: SuicideGirls Hits Puberty and Wants to Invade Your TV Set | Marlow Stern | December 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRussia's bloggersphere exploded with private investigations.
Digital Doublethink: Playing Truth or Dare with Putin, Assad and ISIS | Christopher Dickey, Anna Nemtsova | November 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
While they were talking another shell entered the small apartment, exploded, and filled the air with dust and stifling fumes.
The Red Year | Louis TracyBlazing 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.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. TorpeyWhen the old Ptolemaic system was exploded by Copernicus, the vaunted wisdom of men proclaimed that the Bible also was exploded.
Gospel Philosophy | J. H. WardJust 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
/ (ɪkˈspləʊd) /
to burst or cause to burst with great violence as a result of internal pressure, esp through the detonation of an explosive; blow up
to destroy or be destroyed in this manner: to explode a bridge
(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
(intr) to react suddenly or violently with emotion, etc: to explode with anger
(intr) (esp of a population) to increase rapidly
(tr) to show (a theory, etc) to be baseless; refute and make obsolete
(tr) phonetics to pronounce (a stop) with audible plosion
Origin of explode
1- Compare implode
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
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