blew up

VERB

inflate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fill

WEAK

billow bloat distend enlarge expand inflate puff up pump up swell

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm deflate ignore let go let out shrink shrivel

VERB

explode

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blast bomb burst detonate dynamite erupt go off rupture shatter

WEAK

mushroom

Antonyms

STRONGEST

mend

WEAK

be calm deflate ignore let go let out shrink shrivel

VERB

magnify importance

Synonyms

WEAK

enlarge exaggerate heighten overstate

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm deflate ignore let go let out shrink shrivel

VERB

burst with anger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

erupt

WEAK

become angry become enraged go off the deep end hit the roof lose control lose temper rage rave

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm deflate ignore let go let out shrink shrivel

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This week, the US House of Representatives voted to end the war with Iran, social media star KSI quit YouTube collective The Sidemen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's rocket blew up on the launch pad.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

The six-year-old company, which Smith describes as a "pandemic experiment that blew up into something profitable", occasionally sees its hot sauce bought by the caseload by visiting tourists.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

A Blue Origin rocket blew up, bursting into an enormous ball of flames in a major setback for Jeff Bezos’ space company.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

During back-to-back flights last year, the Starship spaceships blew up, sending debris falling back to Earth and forcing air traffic around the Caribbean to take precautionary measures.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

I blew up balloons until my cheeks ached and I was light-headed from oxygen deprivation.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen