explosion

explosion — noun

1. an event in which a bomb, a gas container, or a reactive substance bursts open v

1.nounB2
Definition

an event in which a bomb, a gas container, or a reactive substance bursts open violently, producing a very loud sound and a powerful outward wave of force

Example

The explosion at the factory shattered windows in nearby houses.

explosion + at [location]

Minh heard the explosion from three blocks away and felt the ground shake.

explosion + heard from [distance]

Synonyms
  • blast

    the most common near-synonym; 'blast' often emphasises the shockwave, while 'explosion' emphasises the bursting event itself

  • detonation

    more technical; usually refers to a precisely triggered explosion, especially of a bomb or weapon

  • eruption

    usually for volcanic explosions, or metaphorically for sudden releases

Common Mistakes

The bomb made an explosion sound.
There was a loud explosion when the bomb went off.
'explosion' is the event itself, not a quality of a sound.

2. the planned and controlled act of making a bomb or other device blow up, especia

2.nounB2
Definition

the planned and controlled act of making a bomb or other device blow up, especially carried out by professionals for demolition or safety purposes

Example

The army carried out a controlled explosion to destroy the old bridge safely.

controlled explosion

Kevin watched the explosion of the unused fireworks from a safe distance behind a barrier.

explosion of [object]

Synonyms
  • detonation

    more technical and precise; 'detonation' implies a chemical reaction travelling at supersonic speed

  • blasting

    used specifically in mining and construction contexts

Usage Note

This sense focuses on the human action of causing an explosion deliberately, rather than the accidental event itself. It often appears with adjectives such as 'controlled' or 'planned', and the object is introduced with the preposition 'of'.

Common Mistakes

The factory had an explosion on purpose.
The company carried out a controlled explosion at the site.
use 'controlled explosion' or 'planned explosion' rather than stating intention loosely.

3. a sudden and powerful expression of a strong feeling, especially anger, that is

3.nounB2
Definition

a sudden and powerful expression of a strong feeling, especially anger, that is difficult to control and often comes as a surprise to those around

Example

Hao's sudden explosion of anger surprised everyone in the weekly team meeting.

explosion of anger

After days of stress, Zuri had an explosion of tears in her sister's kitchen.

explosion of tears

Synonyms
  • outburst

    very similar in meaning; 'outburst' is slightly more neutral and can be positive or negative, while 'explosion' leans toward anger or intensity

  • eruption

    more dramatic and less common; often used for anger ('eruption of rage')

  • fit

    informal; 'fit of anger/jealousy' suggests a short, intense episode

Antonyms
  • calm

    the opposite emotional state

Usage Note

Commonly paired with 'of + emotion noun' — most frequently 'anger', 'rage', 'frustration', 'laughter', or 'tears'. The emotion is typically negative, though 'laughter' is a notable positive/neutral exception. This sense is always countable.

Common Mistakes

He had an explosion of sadness.
He had an explosion of tears.' or 'He had an explosion of anger.
the noun following 'explosion of' must be an outwardly visible emotion or behaviour, not a quiet internal state.

4. a sudden dramatic rise in a measurable quantity, such as a population, a price,

4.nounB2
Definition

a sudden dramatic rise in a measurable quantity, such as a population, a price, or a level, occurring at a very fast pace

Example

The city has experienced a population explosion over the past decade.

population explosion

There has been an explosion of interest in electric cars among younger buyers.

explosion of interest

Synonyms
  • boom

    very similar; 'boom' suggests sustained growth over time, while 'explosion' emphasises speed and suddenness

  • surge

    more neutral; 'surge' suggests a strong upward movement without the dramatic connotation of breaking limits

  • soaring

    used as a noun ('the soaring of prices') or more commonly as a verb/adjective; implies a continuous upward trend

Antonyms

Usage Note

Very commonly used in business, economics, and social commentary. The typical prepositions are 'in' (explosion in sales/prices) and 'of' (explosion of interest/demand). The 'population explosion' and 'information explosion' are established compound-like phrases.

Common Mistakes

There was an explosion of rain last night.
There was an explosion of orders / sales / interest / demand.
this sense describes growth in numbers or amounts, not physical events or weather.

5. the act of demonstrating that a widely held belief, idea, or common assumption i

5.nounC1
Definition

the act of demonstrating that a widely held belief, idea, or common assumption is incorrect or not supported by evidence

Example

The journalist's investigation led to the explosion of a long-held belief about the politician's past.

explosion of [belief]

Heloísa's research paper achieved a thorough explosion of several popular myths about ancient diets.

explosion of myths

Synonyms
  • debunking

    the most direct synonym; 'debunking' is more common in everyday language and less formal

  • refutation

    more formal and technical; used in academic and philosophical contexts

  • discrediting

    focuses on damaging the credibility of an idea or person

Antonyms

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used in the fixed phrase 'explosion of a myth / belief / theory / idea'. It belongs to formal or journalistic registers and is the least common sense in everyday speech. It derives from the verb 'explode' when used figuratively (e.g., 'to explode a myth').

Common Mistakes

The scientist exploded the chemical.' (meaning 'disproved')
The scientist exploded the theory with new evidence.
the figurative 'explode a myth' cannot be confused with a literal physical explosion.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to a sudden release of force, but they differ in emphasis and context. 'Explosion' (sense 1) is the broadest term, covering any violent bursting event caused by a bomb, gas, or chemical reaction. 'Blast' highlights the shockwave or wind produced by the explosion, so it is often used when describing damage or impact ('The blast knocked people off their feet'). 'Detonation' is a technical term from physics and military contexts; it describes a precisely triggered explosion in which the chemical reaction travels faster than sound. 'Eruption' is most commonly used for volcanoes but also works metaphorically for any sudden release from confinement. In everyday language, 'explosion' and 'blast' can often be swapped, but 'detonation' sounds more formal and precise, while 'eruption' strongly suggests something bursting out from within.

blast ↗detonationeruption ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • gas explosion
  • population explosion
  • controlled explosion
  • nuclear explosion
  • explosion crater

Phrases

  • cause an explosion
  • set off an explosion
  • survive an explosion
  • explosion of laughter
  • explosion of violence

Prepositions

  • explosion + at (the explosion at the factory)
  • explosion + in (an explosion in sales)
  • explosion + of (an explosion of anger / of interest / of a myth)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'explōsiō' (a driving out by clapping, a hissing off the stage), from 'explōdere' (to drive out by clapping), which combined 'ex-' (out) and 'plaudere' (to clap). In ancient Roman theatre, a poor performance was 'exploded' — the audience literally clapped the actors off stage. By the 1700s, the word had shifted to describe gunpowder blasts, following the earlier sense of a sudden violent noise. The figurative uses for emotions (1800s) and rapid growth (1900s) developed later.