explode

Verb

Synonyms: detonate blow up set off burst burst forth break loose irrupt

WordNet 3.0

Verb (10)

cause to burst with a violent release of energy“We exploded the nuclear bomb”Synonyms: detonate blow up set off
burst outward, usually with noise“The champagne bottle exploded”Synonyms: burst
show a violent emotional reaction“The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary”
be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise“His anger exploded”Synonyms: burst forth break loose
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”Synonyms: detonate blow up
increase rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner“The population of India is exploding”“The island's rodent population irrupted”Synonyms: irrupt

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Explode \Ex*plode"\ ([e^]ks*pl[=o]d"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Exploded; p. pr. & vb. n. Exploding.] [L. explodere, explosum, to drive out, drive out a player by clapping; ex out + plaudere, plodere, to clap, strike, applaud: cf. OF. exploder. See Plausible.]

1.To become suddenly expanded into a great volume of gas or vapor; to burst violently into flame; as, gunpowder explodes. [1913 Webster]

2.To burst with force and a loud report; to detonate, as a shell filled with powder or the like material, or as a boiler from too great pressure of steam. [1913 Webster]

3.To burst forth with sudden violence and noise; as, at this, his wrath exploded. [1913 Webster]

Explode \Ex*plode"\, v. t.

1.To drive from the stage by noisy expressions of disapprobation; to hoot off; to drive away or reject noisily; as, to explode a play. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Him old and young Exploded, and seized with violent hands.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.To bring into disrepute, and reject; to drive from notice and acceptance; as, to explode a scheme, fashion, or doctrine. [1913 Webster]

Old exploded contrivances of mercantile fraud.— Burke.[1913 Webster]

To explode and exterminate dark atheism.— Bently.[1913 Webster]

3.To cause to explode or burst noisily; to detonate; as, to explode powder by touching it with fire. [1913 Webster]

4.To drive out with violence and noise, as by powder. [1913 Webster]

But late the kindled powder did explode The massy ball and the brass tube unload.— Blackmore.[1913 Webster]