Explode
Explode verb - To break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure.
Shoot up and explode are semantically related in increase topic. In some cases you can use "Shoot up" instead a verb "Explode", when it comes to topics like increase suddenly.
Shoot up
Shoot up verb - To rise abruptly and rapidly.
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
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In Borderlands, any grenade mod that's labeled "Rain" will, after being thrown, shoot up into the air and explode, sending multiple grenades raining down on the enemies.
Source: Macross Missile Massacre -
Among them are a gun that shoots land mines that shoot up and shoot out a ring of shrapnel at roughly knee-height, a gun that launches energy helices that carbonize foes and cause them to explode seconds later, and the cerebral bore, which fires an orb that embeds itself in your enemy's head.
Source: Impossibly Cool Weapon
Cite this Source
Shoot up and Explode. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explode/shoot_up
Explode & Shoot up. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explode/shoot_up>.
Shoot up or Explode. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explode/shoot_up.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explode" and "shoot up" have occurred on timeline