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 bombs did not detonate and no one was injured.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
For bottom mines, minesweeping ships tow gear that can mimic the acoustic, electrical or magnetic signatures of ships and detonate them safely.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Genrich had been seen in some of the areas where the 1991 bombs detonated, and lived within walking distance of two sites.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
For bottom mines, minesweeping ships tow gear that can mimic the acoustic, electrical or magnetic signatures of ships and detonate them safely.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Genrich had been seen in some of the areas where the 1991 bombs detonated, and lived within walking distance of two sites.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Either way, these early flowering plants explode with gorgeous color in spring and attract early season bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
22 Apr. 2026
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Dancing with the Stars exploded in popularity last season, raking in its largest audience in years driven by interest from younger viewers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The family documents describe comfortable lives and prosperous businesses blown apart by the war and the mounting Nazi menace.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The focus narrows in on the remaining passengers and crew in the main sections of the aircraft not blown to bits, the cockpit and a stretch of the main cabin (finally, a reward for flying coach), precariously perched on a reef outcrop.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The sun is tickling our necks, the smell of cherry blossoms are wafting through the air, and dazzling new produce is popping up left, right, and center.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
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Fortunately, more homes have just popped up for sale at Powder Haven, the exclusive residential enclave in Utah backed by Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings, who acquired the resort in 2023 and has since been reshaping it into a hybrid public-private ski destination.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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