as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions
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Recent Examples of detonate
The militia’s rank and file, meanwhile, was shattered first by pagers, then walkie-talkies that detonated in their hands, having been boobytrapped by Mossad.
—
Karl Vick, Time, 13 June 2025
In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, the city’s mayor Alejandro Eder said three explosive devices were detonated on Tuesday.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The Royal Navy is testing how to use robots to seek out and detonate mines and other threats found near vital yet vulnerable undersea cables and pipelines at greater depths than a human diver can safely reach.
—David Szondy
june 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025
Torkelson smoothed out his swing, found his timing and detonated a blast that sent the ball crescendoing over the left-field fence.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Karl Vick, Time, 13 June 2025
In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, the city’s mayor Alejandro Eder said three explosive devices were detonated on Tuesday.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The Royal Navy is testing how to use robots to seek out and detonate mines and other threats found near vital yet vulnerable undersea cables and pipelines at greater depths than a human diver can safely reach.
—David Szondy
june 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025
Torkelson smoothed out his swing, found his timing and detonated a blast that sent the ball crescendoing over the left-field fence.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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The 30,000-pound bombs burrow deep into the earth before exploding.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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The number of craft breweries exploded from around 1,500 to over 5,000.—
Joe Chura,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Verb
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That connection and warmth was obvious on Friday night, with Cardi blowing past her bedtime to give the gays, the dolls and everyone else an experience beyond what any other NYC festival provides.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
28 June 2025
-
The sound of wind blowing and the floorboards settling is enough to prompt her to peer outside for possible hazards, hastily locking the front door after scanning the perimeter.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 June 2025
Verb
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His shot hit the back of the rim, popped up and dropped in to give the Celtics a 105-102 lead.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
Westchester County has been a hot property market as of late, with several notable homes popping up for sale recently.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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