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

The estate played the home of Rose Byrne’s hoity-toity Helen Harris III in Bridesmaids (the backyard is where Kristen Wiig’s Annie detonated mid-bridal-shower, cookie in hand). — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Last week, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near Damascus' main judicial complex, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

To put it simply—detonating nuclear weapons in space can be as disastrous as detonating them on Earth. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 July 2026

On Thursday, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20. — Omar Albam, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 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
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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