detonate

verb

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt How to pronounce detonate (audio)
Definition of detonatenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detonate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year gave him a golden pager to commemorate an operation in which members of Hezbollah were killed when their pagers detonated. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 Lederberg became interested in space science after hearing about Soviet plans to detonate a nuclear bomb on the Moon, Wolfe explains. — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2026 The latest development is hedgehog-style armor, which surrounds the vehicle with unraveled steel cables intended to snag, disrupt, or prematurely detonate incoming FPV drones. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The Soviet Union detonated its first hydrogen bomb, in Kazakhstan. — USA Today, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
  1. explode
  2. blow
  3. pop
Verb
  • This could give astronomers an early warning, allowing telescopes to turn toward the exploding star while its light is still arriving.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has denied targeting Bulgaria after a drone entered the country's airspace on Saturday and exploded close to an international gas pipeline shortly after crossing the border from Romania.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of explode
Verb
  • Then a few months after the trumpets were blown, World War II broke out.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • On a covered walkway between the Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas shrines this week, metal fans blow a cooling mist.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • First Solar – The solar panel maker popped more than 3% after Baird upgraded the stock to outperform from neutral.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • More spotty showers and storms could pop up midday in northern Missouri.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pop

Browse Nearby Words

dethroning
detonate
detonated
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Cite this Entry

“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detonate

Nglish: Translation of detonate for Spanish Speakers

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