detonate

verb

det·​o·​nate ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt 

ˈde-tə-ˌnāt

detonated; detonating

intransitive verb

: to explode with sudden violence

transitive verb

1

: to cause to detonate

detonate a bomb

compare deflagrate

2

: to set off in a burst of activity : spark

programs that detonated controversies

detonatable

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tə-bəl 

ˈde-tə-ˌnā-

adjective

detonative

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tiv 

ˈde-tə-ˌnā-

adjective

Synonyms of detonate

• explode
• blow
• pop

Examples of detonate in a Sentence

The first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945.

the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions

Recent Examples on the Web

Putin said the 22-year-old attacker was recruited online and unknowingly given the explosive, which was detonated remotely, according to investigative officials. —Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict. —Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

Officials said preliminary findings indicate improvised explosive devices hidden inside garbage bins detonated in the city center. —Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 22 Feb. 2026

The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy. —Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French détoner to explode, from Latin detonare to expend thunder, from de- + tonare to thunder — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for detonate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

detonate

verb

det·​o·​nate ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt 

ˈdet-ə-ˌnāt

detonated; detonating

: to explode or cause to explode with sudden violence

detonation

ˌdet-ᵊn-ˈā-shən, 

ˌdet-ə-ˈnā-

noun