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.

They bet too aggressively and blew up in 1998, nearly crashing the financial system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Sabrina Washington, the third member of the group, agrees and says they knew they were onto something when the garage version of their first hit Why "blew up".

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Soccer blew up its aging, veteran roster, made former Galaxy assistant coach Dave Sarachan the interim manager, and tasked him with rebuilding the team.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

The breakneck rally in space stocks looked set to grind to a halt, though, after a Blue Origin rocket blew up late Thursday.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The wind blew up again and the chills itched straight down my back.

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore