Burst vs. Explode — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
Burst involves breaking open due to internal pressure, while explode denotes a violent shattering with noise and force.
Difference Between Burst and Explode
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Burst typically refers to the sudden rupture or splitting of something due to internal pressure, like a balloon bursting when overinflated. On the other hand, explode involves a more violent and noisy breaking apart, often associated with chemical or mechanical reactions, such as dynamite exploding.
Bursting often results from structural failure due to internal pressure or tension, such as a pipe bursting from frozen water expanding inside. Whereas, exploding is generally caused by a rapid increase in energy, such as an explosion resulting from ignited gas.
Burst can occur in biological contexts, like a blood vessel bursting, which is typically less violent and noisy. Conversely, explode is commonly used in contexts involving dramatic destruction or violence, like a building exploding due to a bomb.
The aftermath of something that bursts might be less catastrophic, often involving the contents being spilled or released. In contrast, an explosion usually results in widespread damage and debris, reflecting the higher energy involved.
In everyday language, "burst" can also mean a sudden outbreak of something, like bursting into laughter, emphasizing a quick, spontaneous action. Explode, however, might be used metaphorically to describe a sudden and intense increase, like exploding in popularity, suggesting a rapid and expansive change.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Breaking or splitting due to pressure
Shattering violently with noise and force
Typical Causes
Internal pressure, overfilling
Chemical reactions, combustion
Associated Noise
Less noise, may be silent
Typically loud
Usual Context
Biological, materials failure
Explosives, violent reactions
Metaphorical Usage
Sudden start (burst into song)
Rapid increase (explode in anger)
Compare with Definitions
Burst
To break open or apart suddenly and violently especially from internal pressure.
The balloon burst with a loud pop.
Explode
To denounce or reject vigorously.
He exploded the myth as a falsehood.
Burst
A short period of intense effort or activity.
He made a burst of speed.
Explode
To burst violently as a result of internal pressure.
The fireworks exploded in the sky.
Burst
To cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive.
Too much pressure will burst the pipe.
Explode
To suddenly increase or become very angry or emotional.
He exploded with rage.
Burst
To begin suddenly.
She burst into tears.
Explode
To rapidly expand or increase.
Her business exploded in popularity overnight.
Burst
A sudden increase in activity or emotion.
There was a burst of applause.
Explode
To cause to burst in pieces by force from within.
The bomb exploded the building.
Burst
Break open or apart suddenly and violently, especially as a result of an impact or internal pressure
The dam burst after days of torrential rain
One of the balloons burst
Explode
To expand outward suddenly and usually violently due to the force of internal pressure or the release of chemical or nuclear energy
The bomb exploded.
Burst
Issue suddenly and uncontrollably
The words burst from him in an angry rush
Explode
To burst violently as a result of such expansion.
Burst
Suddenly begin doing or producing something
The aircraft burst into flames
She burst into tears
Sophie burst out laughing
Explode
To shatter with a loud noise
The vase exploded into tiny pieces when it hit the floor.
Burst
Separate (continuous stationery) into single sheets.
Explode
To make an emotional outburst
My neighbor exploded in rage at the trespassers.
Burst
An instance of breaking or splitting as a result of internal pressure or puncturing; an explosion
The mortar bursts were further away than before
Explode
To increase suddenly, sharply, and without control
The population in this area has exploded during the past 12 years.
Burst
A sudden brief outbreak
A burst of activity
Bursts of laughter
Explode
To change state or appearance suddenly
Over the weekend the trees exploded with color.
Burst
A period of continuous and intense effort
He sailed 474 miles in one 24-hour burst
Explode
(Sports) To hit a golf ball out of a sand trap with a shot that scatters the sand.
Burst
To come open or fly apart suddenly or violently, especially from internal pressure.
Explode
To cause to release energy or burst violently and noisily
The children exploded three firecrackers.
Burst
To explode.
Explode
To show to be false or unreliable
Explode a hypothesis.
Burst
To be or seem to be full to the point of breaking open
The sacks were bursting with grain.
Explode
(Sports) To hit (a golf ball) out of a sand trap with an explosive shot.
Burst
To emerge, come forth, or arrive suddenly
Burst out of the door.
Explode
(transitive) To destroy with an explosion.
The assassin exploded the car by means of a car bomb.
Burst
To come apart or seem to come apart because of overwhelming emotion
Thought his heart would burst with happiness.
Explode
(transitive) To destroy violently or abruptly.
They sought to explode the myth.
Burst
To give sudden utterance or expression
Burst out laughing.
Burst into tears.
Explode
(transitive) To create an exploded view of.
Explode the assembly drawing so that all the fasteners are visible.
Burst
To cause to burst
Burst the balloon.
Explode
To disprove or debunk.
Burst
To exert strong pressure in order to force (something) open.
Explode
(intransitive) To fly apart with sudden violent force; to blow up, to burst, to detonate, to go off.
The bomb explodes.
Burst
To separate (a continuous form or printout) into individual sheets.
Explode
To make a violent or emotional outburst.
She exploded when I criticised her hat.
Burst
The result of bursting, especially the explosion of a projectile or bomb on impact or in the air.
Explode
To increase suddenly.
Burst
The number of bullets fired from an automatic weapon by one pull of the trigger.
Explode
To ejaculate.
Burst
A sudden, intense display of activity or emotion
A burst of excitement from the crowd when the concert started.
Explode
To break (a delimited string of text) into several smaller strings by removing the separators.
Burst
An abrupt, intense increase; a rush
A burst of speed.
Fitful bursts of wind.
Explode
To decompress (data) that was previously imploded.
Burst
A period of intense activity
“I write in very short bursts—10 or 15 minutes” (Zoe Heller).
Explode
(transitive) To open all doors and hatches on an automobile.
Burst
(intransitive) To break from internal pressure.
I blew the balloon up too much, and it burst.
Explode
Of a die, to produce the highest face result and consequently reroll.
Burst
(transitive) To cause to break from internal pressure.
I burst the balloon when I blew it up too much.
Explode
To burst with force and a loud report; to detonate, as a shell filled with powder or the like material, or as a boiler from too great pressure of steam.
Burst
To cause to break by any means.
Explode
To burst forth with sudden violence and noise; as, at this, his wrath exploded.
Burst
(transitive) To separate (printer paper) at perforation lines.
I printed the report on form-feed paper, then burst the sheets.
Explode
To drive from the stage by noisy expressions of disapprobation; to hoot off; to drive away or reject noisily; as, to explode a play.
Him old and youngExploded, and seized with violent hands.
Burst
(intransitive) To enter or exit hurriedly and unexpectedly.
Explode
To bring into disrepute, and reject; to drive from notice and acceptance; as, to explode a scheme, fashion, or doctrine.
Old exploded contrivances of mercantile fraud.
To explode and exterminate dark atheism.
Burst
(intransitive) To erupt; to change state suddenly as if bursting.
The flowers burst into bloom on the first day of spring.
Explode
To cause to explode or burst noisily; to detonate; as, to explode powder by touching it with fire.
Burst
(transitive) To produce as an effect of bursting.
To burst a hole through the wall
Explode
To drive out with violence and noise, as by powder.
But late the kindled powder did explodeThe massy ball and the brass tube unload.
Burst
(transitive) To interrupt suddenly in a violent or explosive manner; to shatter.
Explode
Cause to explode;
We exploded the nuclear bomb
Burst
An act or instance of bursting.
The bursts of the bombs could be heard miles away.
Explode
Burst outward, usually with noise;
The champagne bottle exploded
Burst
A sudden, often intense, expression, manifestation or display.
Explode
Show a violent emotional reaction;
The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary
Burst
A series of shots fired from an automatic firearm.
Explode
Be unleashed; burst forth with violence or noise;
His anger exploded
Burst
(military) The explosion of a bomb or missile.
A ground burst; a surface burst
Explode
Destroy by exploding;
The enemy exploded the bridge
Burst
(archaic) A drinking spree.
Explode
Cause to burst as a result of air pressure; of stop consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/
Burst
To fly apart or in pieces; of break open; to yield to force or pressure, especially to a sudden and violent exertion of force, or to pressure from within; to explode; as, the boiler had burst; the buds will burst in spring.
From the egg that soonBursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosedTheir callow young.
No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak:And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.
Explode
Drive from the stage by noisy disapproval
Burst
To exert force or pressure by which something is made suddenly to give way; to break through obstacles or limitations; hence, to appear suddenly and unexpectedly or unaccountably, or to depart in such manner; - usually with some qualifying adverb or preposition, as forth, out, away, into, upon, through, etc.
Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth.
And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms.
A resolved villainWhose bowels suddenly burst out.
We were the first that ever burstInto that silent sea.
To burst upon him like an earthquake.
Explode
Show (a theory or claim) to be baseless, or refute and make obsolete
Burst
To break or rend by violence, as by an overcharge or by strain or pressure, esp. from within; to force open suddenly; as, to burst a cannon; to burst a blood vessel; to burst open the doors.
My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage.
Explode
Increase rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner;
The population of India is exploding
The island's rodent population irrupted
Burst
To break.
You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?
He burst his lance against the sand below.
Burst
To produce as an effect of bursting; as, to burst a hole through the wall.
Burst
A sudden breaking forth; a violent rending; an explosion; as, a burst of thunder; a burst of applause; a burst of passion; a burst of inspiration.
Bursts of fox-hunting melody.
Burst
Any brief, violent exertion or effort; a spurt; as, a burst of speed.
Burst
A sudden opening, as of landscape; a stretch; an expanse.
Burst
A rupture or hernia; a breach.
Burst
The act of exploding or bursting something;
The explosion of the firecrackers awoke the children
The burst of an atom bomb creates enormous radiation aloft
Burst
Rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms;
Our fusillade from the left flank caught them by surprise
Burst
A sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason);
A burst of applause
A fit of housecleaning
Burst
A sudden violent happening;
An outburst of heavy rain
A burst of lightning
Burst
Break open or apart suddenly;
The bubble burst
Burst
Force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up;
Break into tears
Erupt in anger
Burst
Burst outward, usually with noise;
The champagne bottle exploded
Burst
Move suddenly, energetically, or violently;
He burst out of the house into the cool night
Burst
Be in a state of movement or action;
The room abounded with screaming children
The garden bristled with toddlers
Burst
Emerge suddenly;
The sun burst into view
Burst
Cause to burst;
The ice broke the pipe
Burst
Break open or apart suddenly and forcefully;
The dam burst
Burst
Suddenly and violently broken open especially from internal pressure (`busted' is an informal term for `burst');
A burst balloon
Burst pipes
Burst seams
A ruptured appendix
A busted balloon
Common Curiosities
What is the primary difference between burst and explode?
Burst implies breaking due to internal pressure without inherent noise, while explode involves loud, violent shattering due to energy release.
What typically causes something to burst?
Something typically bursts due to internal pressure exceeding the material's strength, such as a tire bursting when too much air is pumped into it.
Is explode always associated with fire or heat?
Not always; it can refer to any sudden and violent expansion, but it often involves reactions that generate heat.
Can the term "burst" be used in a positive context?
Yes, "burst" can be used positively, as in "bursting with joy" or "burst into laughter," which convey a sudden onset of a positive emotional state.
Can burst and explode be used interchangeably in some contexts?
In some contexts they might overlap, especially in informal usage, but they generally convey different intensities and mechanisms.
What does it mean when someone says they "burst into tears"?
It means they suddenly started crying, emphasizing a spontaneous and quick onset of emotion.
How do the consequences of bursting and exploding differ in terms of damage?
Bursting usually results in localized damage, such as a burst pipe causing water damage, whereas exploding often results in extensive, widespread destruction.
What are common scenarios where the term explode is used?
Explode is commonly used to describe events involving explosives, violent chemical reactions, or dramatic, rapid increases in activity or intensity.
What are the safety implications of explosions?
Explosions can pose severe safety risks, including fires, shrapnel, structural damage, and casualties, especially in industrial or warfare contexts.
Is there a scientific context where both burst and explode are used?
Yes, in astrophysics, a star might be described as "bursting" under certain conditions, while a supernova involves a star "exploding," indicating a massive release of energy.
What is the difference in sound associated with bursting and exploding?
Bursting may or may not produce sound, and if it does, it's usually less loud, whereas exploding is characterized by loud, sometimes deafening noises.
In literature, how might a writer use "explode" metaphorically?
In literature, "explode" might be used metaphorically to describe a sudden escalation in conflict or emotion, enhancing the dramatic impact of the narrative.
Can foods burst or explode during cooking?
Yes, foods can both burst and explode during cooking; for example, grains of popcorn explode when heated, and sausages might burst if not pricked before cooking.
How do engineers mitigate risks associated with bursts and explosions?
Engineers use safety valves, proper material selection, controlled environments, and pressure monitoring to mitigate the risks associated with bursts and explosions.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
