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.

Stokes spoke of his relief at the win, then the celebrations blew up in his face.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 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

Israel abandoned the fortress as part of the disengagement with Lebanon and blew up the military outpost there before leaving.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 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

The miracle of Shin’s friendship with Park is how quickly it blew up the box.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden