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explosion

explosion

44 3.0
A sudden strong burst of emotion or noise
  • noun
  • /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
translation icon : estallido
  • But then we suffered this great explosion and became fragmented in so many different directions.
  • an explosion of violence
  • a creative explosion
  • a social explosion

So that leads to this explosion of anger by Venter.

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Examples

  • Either you see him sitting absolutely still or you see him in an explosion of dance.

  • Bernzy looks up into the apartment window as the explosion of a flashbulb fills the window.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "Good!" She makes it a short, sharp sound, almost an explosion of delight.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Betty would grab onto the wall, waiting for the explosion of her father's temper to rock the house.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • So that leads to this explosion of anger by Venter.

  • I've always noticed after a loss there is an explosion of innovation that takes place, right?

  • Yet when the authoritarian lid was lifted, we saw an explosion of intergroup hatred.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Then she nudged Molly's arm, and there was a small explosion on the packing crate!

    Fiction book (1992)
  • His frustration led to an explosion of anger during the meeting.

  • The festival ended with an explosion of fireworks that lit up the night sky.

Synonyms

blast
vsexplosion
297 3.0

A sudden strong explosion that breaks things

includes violent emotional or noisy eruptions as well as physical blasts
bang
vsexplosion
237 1.3

A sudden loud noise from a hit or impact

can also mean sudden violent emotional or active outbursts not just sound
outburst
vsexplosion
83 3.9

A sudden strong show of feeling like anger or laughter

is often more violent or noisy rather than only expressive
burst
vsexplosion
62 2.2

A sudden breaking open or explosion

applies more widely to sudden violent episodes of feeling, sound, or action
firestorm
vsexplosion
  • Literature
36 6.5

A sudden, strong public reaction of anger or criticism

is more general, applying to sudden violent noise, action, or feeling
a loud bang
vsexplosion
10 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

is broader, covering sustained violent activity or emotional eruptions too
big bang
vsexplosion
2 3.4

A loud sudden noise like an explosion

is similar but also covers sudden intense activity or emotional bursts
eruption
vsexplosion
1 4.1

A sudden loud burst of noise such as applause

is broader, also including violent emotional or active eruptions
blowup
vsexplosion
  • US
1 6.0

A sudden violent explosion that destroys things nearby

is more general, also applying to sudden emotional or noisy bursts
fulminous explosion
vsexplosion
9.0

A very sudden powerful blast that breaks things and makes loud noise

is broader, covering sudden violent outbursts of noise, feeling, or action
tsunami of reaction
vsexplosion
7.0

A sudden large wave of comments from many people that follows an event

is narrower in intensity focus, being about sudden violent bursts rather than volume of response

Antonyms

45 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

Compounds

A very large explosion caused by a nuclear reaction, like an atomic bomb

atomic explosion
  • Specialized
3 4.2

A huge blast from an atomic bomb that destroys a wide area

A very sudden powerful blast that breaks things and makes loud noise

How Intense

explosion
44 3.0
eruption
4 4.3
outburst
83 3.9
commotion
73 4.1

Surface Forms

explosion singular
explosions plural

Morphology

explosion = explode (semi-transparent) = explode + sion

The emotional/noise outburst sense is a figurative extension of the literal meaning; related but not strictly literal.

Etymology

Explosion can mean a sudden outburst of feeling or noise and comes from ex- ('out') plus a root like plaud- ('to clap'). The idea is of something that 'bursts out', which is why we speak of an explosion of anger, applause, or joy.