American English pronunciation

How to pronounce explode

IPA transcription: [ɪksp'loʊd]

Hear “explode” pronounced

[ɪksp'loʊd]

Quality: 0.98

[ɪksp'loʊd]

Quality: 0.97

[ɪksp'loʊd]

Quality: 0.96

Verb

  • cause to burst with a violent release of energy

    “We exploded the nuclear bomb”

  • burst outward, usually with noise

    “The champagne bottle exploded”

  • be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise

    “His anger exploded”

  • show a violent emotional reaction

    “The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary”

  • destroy by exploding

    “The enemy exploded the bridge”

  • cause to burst as a result of air pressure; of stop consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/

  • drive from the stage by noisy disapproval

  • show (a theory or claim) to be baseless, or refute and make obsolete

  • burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction

    “the bomb detonated at noon”

    “The Molotov cocktail exploded”

  • increase rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner

    “The population of India is exploding”

    “The island's rodent population irrupted”

Usage examples

  • It exploded and one of the plane's bombs penetrated the after engine room.
  • Flash grenades explode with a loud bang and cause disorientation.
  • Flash grenades explode with a loud bang and cause disorientation.
  • This caused the main engine to explode, destroying the upper stage and spacecraft.
  • During the second landing attempt, one of the engines exploded, resulting in catastrophe.
  • Flash grenades explode with a loud bang and cause disorientation.
  • The third bomb did not explode.
  • Without him to finish the sequence, the rocket malfunctions and explodes.
  • During the confrontation, a powder keg explodes which injures some of his force.
  • The bomb exploded prematurely as it was being planted.