explode

The word "explode" most literally describes something bursting apart with sudden force, often because pressure or energy has built up inside. Think of dynamite blowing up a rock face, or a boiler bursting and sending steam and debris everywhere. It often involves a loud noise, flying pieces, heat, light, or all of these at once.

However, "explode" also has many figurative meanings. When someone explodes with emotion, they suddenly let out feelings that they have been holding in, often anger or frustration. After weeks of silence, she finally exploded at him for his constant criticism.

It can also describe a rapid increase in something. A news story might say that crime rates have exploded in the city, meaning they have gone up dramatically and quickly. In the same way, a trend can explode in popularity and suddenly spread everywhere. The new dance craze exploded across social media.

In technology and design, an exploded view is a diagram that shows all the parts of something separated from each other, as if the object had come apart. This makes it easier to see how the parts fit together.

So whether you are talking about fireworks, anger, fast growth, or diagrams, "explode" usually suggests a sudden, powerful release or expansion.