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
There were two car bombs on Tuesday in Moscow — one that detonated in the morning in eastern Moscow and one that was identified by security services in southwestern Moscow.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Israel remotely detonated the devices in September 2024, killing at least 37 people.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Ahmed Hassan detonated a bomb in Parsons Green in 2017 after Prevent officials had discussed his case for more than a year, and almost closed it days before the attack.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 7 June 2026
On April 15, 2013, two bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
—Edward F. Davis, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Reuters, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Israel remotely detonated the devices in September 2024, killing at least 37 people.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Ahmed Hassan detonated a bomb in Parsons Green in 2017 after Prevent officials had discussed his case for more than a year, and almost closed it days before the attack.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 7 June 2026
On April 15, 2013, two bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
—Edward F. Davis, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
-
Birding has exploded from a niche hobby into a mainstream pastime, driven by the pandemic outdoor-recreation boom and amplified by apps and social media.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
At-home microbiome tests have exploded in popularity, fueled by genuine curiosity about gut health and big promises about energy, mood and longevity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Referee Nicolae Rainea blows his whistle.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Imagine a world where the weather forecast calls for winds blowing at 11,000 miles per hour (18,000 kilometers per hour) and nighttime showers of liquid metal, rubies and sapphires.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Different types of circles with different patterns pop up on the headset.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Libertyville senior shortstop Trevor Wallace, who had just popped out and returned to the dugout to cheer for Holmes, overheard two teammates talking.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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