esplodere

Meaning (in English)

Esplodere means to explode. It can be used both literally (a physical explosion) and figuratively (a sudden, violent or intense outburst).

Main uses:

1. Literal: to explode, to blow up
   • La bomba è esplosa. = “The bomb exploded.”
2. Figurative: to burst out suddenly (with emotion, events, reactions), to erupt
   • Esplodere di rabbia = “to explode with anger”
   • È esplosa una polemica = “a controversy erupted”
3. Also common (figurative): to become suddenly very successful / widespread
   • Il cantante è esploso = “The singer suddenly became famous / broke through.”

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Parts / Structure

• Infinitive: esplodere
• Root: esplod-
• Ending: -ere (typical of many Italian verbs)

Note: It is commonly conjugated with essere in compound tenses (intransitive use):

• è esploso / è esplosa = “has exploded”
  And with avere when used transitively (less common, “to blow something up”):
• hanno esploso il colpo (formal/technical) = “they fired the shot”

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Italian synonyms

Depending on meaning:

• Literal: scoppiare, deflagrare (more technical), saltare in aria (informal)
• Emotions / reactions: scoppiare, erompere, infuriarsi (for anger)
• Sudden success: affermarsi, sfondare (informal), diventare famoso all’improvviso

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Italian antonyms (when applicable)

There isn’t one perfect opposite in all senses, but in context:

• For “explode”: implodere (implode)
• For “burst out (emotion)”: calmarsi, placarsi
• For “suddenly become famous”: passare inosservato, sparire (from public attention)