explode

Universal Words verb burst violently 1 to burst or make sth burst loudly and violently, causing damage SYNBLOWUP: [V] Bombs were exploding all around the city. * The firework exploded in his hand. * [VN] There was a huge bang as if someone had exploded a rocket outside. * Bomb disposal experts exploded the device under controlled conditions. compareIMPLODE get angry / dangerous 2 ~ (into / with sth) (of a person or situation) to suddenly become very angry or dangerous: [V] Suddenly Charles exploded with rage. * The protest exploded into a riot. * Tension between the two sides could explode at any time. * [Vspeech] 'Of course there's something wrong!' Jem exploded. express emotion 3 [V] ~ (into / with sth) to suddenly express an emotion: We all exploded into wild laughter. move suddenly 4 [V] ~ (into sth) to suddenly and quickly do sth; to move suddenly with a lot of force: After ten minutes the game exploded into life. make loud noise 5 [V] to make a sudden very loud noise: Thunder exploded overhead. increase quickly 6 [V] to increase suddenly and very quickly in number: the exploding world population show sth is not true 7 [VN] to show that sth is not true, especially sth that people believe: At last, a women's magazine to explode the myth that thin equals beautiful. ______________________________ WORDFAMILY explode v. explosion n. explosive adj., n. unexploded adj. ______________________________