The verb explode has 10 senses (first 4 from tagged texts)
1. (14) explode, detonate, blow up, set off -- (cause to burst with a violent release of energy; "We exploded the nuclear bomb")
2. (6) explode, burst -- (burst outward, usually with noise; "The champagne bottle exploded")
3. (4) explode -- (show a violent emotional reaction; "The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary")
4. (3) explode, burst forth, break loose -- (be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise; "His anger exploded")
5. explode -- (destroy by exploding; "The enemy exploded the bridge")
6. explode -- (cause to burst as a result of air pressure; of stop consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/)
7. explode -- (drive from the stage by noisy disapproval)
8. explode -- (show (a theory or claim) to be baseless, or refute and make obsolete)
9. detonate, explode, blow up -- (burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction;"the bomb detonated at noon"; "The Molotov cocktail exploded")
10. explode, irrupt -- (increase rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner; "The population of India is exploding"; "The island's rodent population irrupted")