to explode

Examples

• All

• This kind of bottled anger that could explode, right?

  Robert Greene

• When the strain became too great, she would explode, resign her job, and take to her bed.

  Academic text (1996)

• I just feel like one day I will just explode and yeah.

• I feel the night explode when we're together.

• Well, good news, I'm watching the chat right now explode with love for you.

• Work on it soon before she explodes.

  Parental Guidance (2012)

• You look like you're ready to explode.

  Twins (1988)

• Children who tend to act quickly and impulsively, or who explode with frustration, need practice in attentional control.

  Academic text (1998)

• The rioters just exploded into violence out of despair over their meager prospects.

  Academic text (2006)

• After hearing the unexpected news, she felt like she would explode with joy.

Synonyms

S

to scream

vsto explode

∞ 1.0

To make a loud high cry because of fear or pain

is broader, covering sudden forceful feelings beyond vocal sounds

S

to snap

vsto explode

180 4.0

Say something quickly and angrily after losing control

is more general, not limited to sharp speech or sudden actions

E

to erupt

vsto explode

117 4.2

To suddenly start in a strong or violent way, often showing strong feeling

is focused on showing strong feelings suddenly rather than events broadly

E

to exclaim

vsto explode

94 3.4

Say something suddenly and loudly because you feel surprised or excited

is focused on strong emotion expressed suddenly, not only exclamation

L

to lash out

vsto explode

78 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

is broader, covering sudden nonverbal emotional releases too

B

to blow up

vsto explode

• Informal

66 4.7

To suddenly become very angry and lose control

is similar but also covers sudden laughter as an emotional release

B

to burst

vsto explode

61 1.8

Suddenly let out strong feelings or sounds

emphasizes emotional expression specifically rather than any held thing

G

to go ballistic

vsto explode

• Informal

29 7.5

Suddenly become very angry

is similar but may be used for sudden laughter or strong joy too

B

to burst into tears

vsto explode

25 2.4

To suddenly cry because of a strong feeling

is broader, applying to sudden strong emotions beyond crying

T

to throw a fit

vsto explode

• Informal

18 6.1

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way

is similar but also includes sudden joyful reactions like loud laughter

B

to burst out

vsto explode

16 3.3

Suddenly say something or make a loud sound

is broader, applying to many strong emotions not only speech

T

to throw a tantrum

vsto explode

• Informal

15 4.4

To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child

is broader, applying to sudden strong feelings including laughter

F

to foam at the mouth

vsto explode

• Informal

14 8.1

To show very strong anger or excitement in a way people can see

is a general sudden expression of strong feeling, not only visible signs

P

to pop off

vsto explode

• Informal

8 8.1

To suddenly say something angry without warning

covers sudden strong feelings of many kinds, not only abrupt speech

B

to burst out laughing

vsto explode

• Informal

8 2.4

To suddenly start laughing loudly and not be able to stop

is similar but also covers sudden anger as a forceful expression

B

to burst forth

vsto explode

7 5.4

Suddenly start to happen with a lot of energy

is more specific to expressing strong feeling outwardly rather than appearing

B

to blow a fuse

vsto explode

• Informal

6 7.4

To suddenly become very angry

is more general, covering sudden strong emotion beyond anger alone

H

to hit the roof

vsto explode

• Informal

4 6.7

To suddenly become very angry

also covers other sudden strong emotions, not only extreme anger

R

to raise the roof

vsto explode

• Informal

4 8.0

Get very angry and shout loudly

is similar but also includes sudden positive outbursts like loud laughter

L

to let out a scream

vsto explode

3 2.1

To make a loud sudden cry because you are scared, hurt, or surprised

is focused on sudden strong emotion expression, not only cries

B

to bubble over

vsto explode

2 4.7

To be so full of strong feeling or excitement that you show it clearly

is about a sudden forceful release rather than sustained overflowing feeling

C

to combust

vsto explode

2 8.2

To become suddenly very angry and lose control

is literal in emotional expression rather than mainly figurative phrasing

B

to burst a blood vessel

vsto explode

• Informal

2 6.9

To become very angry or upset in a way people notice

focuses on sudden outward feeling rather than physical stress signs

G

to go off on one

vsto explode

• UK

1 9.9

To suddenly get very angry and speak loudly for a long time

is like this but also fits brief, forceful emotional outbursts

T

to throw a wobbly

vsto explode

• UK

1 9.9

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

is broader, covering sudden forceful expression of many emotions

B

to blow one's top

vsto explode

• Informal

8.0

To suddenly become very angry

includes sudden strong feeling but also laughter as possible expression

B

to blow one's stack

vsto explode

• Informal

8.6

Suddenly get very angry and show it

is similar but can describe nonanger strong emotions as well

Antonyms

C

to contain

220 3.5

To keep something dangerous from spreading or getting worse

S

to suppress

48 5.8

To hold back feelings or reactions

Phrasal Verbs

E

to explode a bombshell

• Informal

1 7.7

Make a shocking announcement that surprises people

How Forceful

to explode

114 3.5

to erupt

117 4.2

to burst out

16 3.3

to express

∞ 2.3

to show

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology