blowup 1 of 2

noun

ˈblō-ˌəp How to pronounce blowup (audio)
Definition of blowupnext
1
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger the boss had another blowup when someone fouled up the copy machine

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2
as in eruption
the act or an instance of exploding the last blowup of the volcano flattened trees for miles around

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blow up

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to anger
to become very angry she blew up at everybody after a very long and very bad day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to detonate
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building blew up because of a gas leak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to smash
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to crack up
to praise or publicize lavishly and often excessively the advertisement blows the new soda up to the point where I half expected to be transported to a higher level of consciousness

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blowup
Noun
In movies, friendships end with a big blowup after there has been a significant betrayal by one party. — Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 July 2026 The history of peacemaking – from Kadesh to the Dayton Accords that ended the Bosnian war, to the Belfast Agreement that halted the 30-year sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland – shows that public blowups and threats to walk out are normal stages, not proof of failure. — Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 25 June 2026
Verb
French innovator Beauer has blown up the internet a couple times over the years with clever telescopic campers that condense to within the width of the tow vehicle before expanding nearly double or triple the size at camp. — New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026 The segment ends with Homer suffocating Kodos with a pillow — this after the military blows up the heads of dozens of aliens. — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blowup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blowup
  1. scene
  2. eruption
  3. anger
  4. detonate
  5. smash
  6. crack up
  7. huff
  8. explosion
Noun
  • Some seem to be afraid the DOJ's presence at the polling scene might intimidate voters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Police found several alcoholic beverages in Gonzalez’s car, and officers at the scene said that his breath smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred, and his eyes were red and watery.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of scene
Noun
  • The consultants were meant to serve as independent experts to mediate any disagreements within the agency over what to do about the wastewater eruptions, according to current and former commission officials.
    — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Douglas, who played 44 of the 65 offensive snaps, became the seventh Dolphins rookie in history to catch multiple touchdowns in a game; De’Von Achane was the last, in the 70-point eruption against Denver in 2023.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of eruption
Verb
  • Soon, other aggrieved groups—farmers, trade unionists, climate activists, yellow-vest protesters angered by rising costs—joined in, and the demonstrations that followed quickly became some of France’s most widespread and explosive since 1968.
    — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Employers understandably worry that narrowing health benefits will anger workers.
    — Tony Lo Sasso, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • An operation in Kenscoff In the mists of the steep hills that ring southern Port-au-Prince, CNN saw one Task Force operation where helicopters manned by foreign contractors assaulted gang positions, and drones detonated amid the clatter of gunfire.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The police response has drawn criticism following an incident last week in which a 15-year-old boy lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a police dispersal grenade that detonated during a demonstration in Lens.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of detonate
Verb
  • Protests last week devolved into mayhem, with people setting fires, storming public buildings, smashing shop windows, looting and clashing with police.
    — ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Rioters last weekend smashed their way into stores, targeting sneakers, athletic wear and sporting goods on streets that run off the city’s central Duomo square.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of smash
Verb
  • For Jason Alexander, fame wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The crowd cracked up in grim commiseration (as a Mets fan, Winter could probably sympathize).
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of crack up
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • Using the Gemini North telescope, Caiazzo and colleagues zoomed in on Pa 30, discovering knots along the strands of gas radiating out from the site of the cosmic explosion, like pearls on a string.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The explosion was set off in front of the local branch of Colombia's tax collection agency near the Francisco de Paula de Santander International bridge.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion

Browse Nearby Words

blow the whistle (on)
blowup
blow up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blowup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blowup. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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