explosion
explosion — noun
1. an event in which a bomb, a gas container, or a reactive substance bursts open v
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
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]
Firefighters arrived minutes after the gas explosion to control the flames.
The explosion sent pieces of metal and glass flying through the air.
Diya's family was evacuated after a small explosion occurred in the boiler room.
- 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
常見錯誤
2. the planned and controlled act of making a bomb or other device blow up, especia
the planned and controlled act of making a bomb or other device blow up, especially carried out by professionals for demolition or safety purposes
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]
The demolition team planned the explosion so that the building would fall straight down.
Police ordered the explosion of the suspicious package in a secure area outside the station.
- detonation
more technical and precise; 'detonation' implies a chemical reaction travelling at supersonic speed
- blasting
used specifically in mining and construction contexts
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
3. a sudden and powerful expression of a strong feeling, especially anger, that is
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
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
The coach's explosion of frustration made the players realise how badly they were playing.
Lan tried not to laugh, but an explosion of laughter escaped during the serious speech.
A quiet disagreement turned into an explosion of shouting between the two neighbours.
- 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
- calm
the opposite emotional state
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
4. a sudden dramatic rise in a measurable quantity, such as a population, a price,
a sudden dramatic rise in a measurable quantity, such as a population, a price, or a level, occurring at a very fast pace
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
Mira's bakery saw an explosion in orders after a famous chef praised her cakes.
The explosion in the number of smartphone users has completely changed how people access news.
An explosion of coffee shops has taken over the main street this year.
- 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
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
5. the act of demonstrating that a widely held belief, idea, or common assumption i
the act of demonstrating that a widely held belief, idea, or common assumption is incorrect or not supported by evidence
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
The documentary offered an explosion of the idea that slaves built the pyramids.
The professor's book was the final explosion of a theory taught in classrooms for decades.
- 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
- confirmation
showing something to be true
用法筆記
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').