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 bomb failed to detonate on the flight and passengers and crew held him down until the plane landed safely.
—
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
The atomic bomb detonated instead above the Shima Surgical Hospital.
—Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
The rule was introduced in response to an unsuccessful attempt by a passenger to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Former Minnesota Republican leader Michael Brodkorb has shared footage of someone detonating a device in the trash can outside his home.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
The atomic bomb detonated instead above the Shima Surgical Hospital.
—Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
The rule was introduced in response to an unsuccessful attempt by a passenger to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Former Minnesota Republican leader Michael Brodkorb has shared footage of someone detonating a device in the trash can outside his home.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Yolo County top health official declared Monday a local health emergency to assess if hazardous material spread across soil, water and crops bordering an Esparto warehouse filled with fireworks that exploded in July and killed seven people.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Charles Nelson had just gotten out the door on his way to a concert in Millennium Park Monday afternoon when gunfire exploded up his South Side block.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The foghorn blew every 30 seconds and pelicans sailed above, doing a quick half corkscrew turn before diving.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Literally, as this is about Shabbat clubs, popping up all over New York City and beyond on Friday nights, per the Jewish tradition.—
Sophie Liza Cannon,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Daily lenses are so comfortable that people tend to quickly adapt to their new routine: Wake up, pop in a fresh set, go about the day, and then take them out and toss them in the trash, no solution or contact case required.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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