(~s, exploding, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If an object such as a bomb ~s or if someone or something ~s it, it bursts loudly and with great force, often causing damage or injury.
They were clearing up when the second bomb ~d...
A school bus was hit by gunfire which ~d the fuel tank.
VERB: V, V n
2.
If someone ~s, they express strong feelings suddenly and violently.
Do you fear that you’ll burst into tears or ~ with anger in front of her?...
‘What happened!’ I ~d...
George caught the look and decided that Bess had better leave before she ~d.
VERB: V with n, V with quote, V
3.
If something ~s, it increases suddenly and rapidly in number or intensity.
The population ~s to 40,000 during the tourist season...
Investment by Japanese firms has ~d.
VERB: V to n, V
4.
If someone ~s a theory or myth, they prove that it is wrong or impossible.
Electricity privatisation has ~d the myth of cheap nuclear power...
VERB: V n