| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | blow up |
| Synonyms: | backfire, blast, blaze, blow to kingdom come, break out, burst, collapse, convulse, detonate, discharge, erupt, flame up, flare up, fracture, jet, kablooey, let go, mushroom, rupture, set off, shatter, shiver, split, thunder |
| Notes: | explode is to blow up from a confined area outwards; implode means blow inwards, as a lightbulb does when it burns out |
| Antonyms: | implode |