26984 words

explode

8 definitions • 12 examples
1
to break up into pieces violently, or to cause something to do this:

Examples:

A bomb exploded at one of the capital's busiest railway stations this morning.
He was driving so fast that his car tyre exploded.
2

Examples:

[ + speech ] "What on earth do you think you're doing?" she exploded (= said angrily).
explode into The children exploded into giggles (= suddenly started laughing uncontrollably).
3
to increase very quickly:

Examples:

The population has exploded in the last ten years.
4
to show something to be wrong:

Examples:

explode a myth This book finally explodes some of the myths about the origin of the universe.
5
to burst violently and usually with a loud noise, or to cause this to happen:

Examples:

[ I ] A bomb exploded nearby.
[ T ] Black holes are left behind by exploding stars called supernovas.
[ I ] fig. Yoga has exploded in popularity as a way to achieve physical and mental health.
6

Examples:

He exploded in anger when told his luggage had been lost.
7
to increase very quickly:

Examples:

The population is exploding in that part of the world.
8
to prove to be false or wrong:

Examples:

She hopes that this book will explode myths about poverty and intelligence.

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