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

Her husband, Vince, founded the company and was a household name as televised commercial wrestling exploded in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s.

From Los Angeles Times

When he eventually explodes into thinking, delivering a monologue of disordered intellectual half-thoughts and rhetorical tics, the stage convulses in Lewis Carroll absurdity.

From Los Angeles Times

The score is built around a single chord that over an hour explodes into kaleidoscopic, supernatural-sounding upper harmonic pitches associated with each note.

From Los Angeles Times

The night before the fire exploded, the eerie howl of the Santa Ana winds kept some awake.

From Los Angeles Times

As firefighters increase containment against Ventura County’s devastating Mountain fire, new access to burned areas has revealed even more damage from the blaze that exploded last week during an exceptional wind event.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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