explode

[ ik-splohd ]

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 ( implode ).
2. to burst, fly into pieces, or break up violently with a loud report, as a boiler from excessive pressure of steam.
3. to burst forth violently or emotionally, especially with noise, laughter, violent speech, etc.:

   He exploded with rage when contradicted.

4. Phonetics. (of plosives) to terminate the occlusive phase with a plosion. Compare implode ( def 2 ).
5. 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.

3. Phonetics. to end with plosion.
4. Golf. to play an explosion shot on (a golf ball).
5. Obsolete. to drive (a player, play, etc.) from the stage by loud expressions of disapprobation.

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

3. (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
4. intr to react suddenly or violently with emotion, etc

   to explode with anger

5. intr (esp of a population) to increase rapidly
6. tr to show (a theory, etc) to be baseless; refute and make obsolete
7. tr phonetics to pronounce (a stop) with audible plosion

Derived Forms

• exˈploder, noun

Other Words From

• ex·ploder noun
• preex·plode verb preexploded preexploding
• unex·ploded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of explode¹

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” ( applaud )

Word History and Origins

Origin of explode¹

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

Example Sentences

Angry Birds at its simplest was the same way, though you wanted to watch things collapse and explode.

From The Daily Beast

In a dramatic twist on mistletoe reproduction, their seeds explode, literally.

From The Daily Beast

It failed to explode, but U.S. officials knew they were lucky.

From The Daily Beast

Markov tells The Daily Beast he expects the situation in eastern Ukraine to explode in the coming two days.

From The Daily Beast

Add in fiery preaching by anti-gay zealots, often funded by American organizations, and you have a volatile brew ready to explode.

From The Daily Beast

And now the time had come at which the hoarded illhumour of six months was at liberty to explode.

From Project Gutenberg

He had made and set adrift those powder kegs, fixing them so that they would explode on touching anything.

From Project Gutenberg

He feared to fill the balloon to its capacity lest the expansion of the gas due to the hot sun should explode it.

From Project Gutenberg

The gentleman who had named himself Dismuke puffed out his cheeks and looked as if he were about to explode.

From Project Gutenberg

He was fixing his eye on a spot in the floor as though he expected it to explode and blow them to fragments.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blast
• break out
• burst
• collapse
• detonate
• erupt
• flare up
• mushroom
• rupture
• set off
• shatter