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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detonate
More recently, an al Qaeda operative and suspected mastermind behind the 2000 USS Cole bombing — in which suicide bombers sidled up alongside a US warship, waved to the sailors and then detonated explosives — was charged with perfidy, among other crimes.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
In December the group detonated a car bomb in a municipality located along a top cocaine-trafficking route, killing four police officers.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Since the end of the Second World War, the United States and its allies had maintained a system of humanitarian interventionism, until the President so delightedly detonated it.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
Nix quelled doubt from a rocky start with a 295-yard game in that Kansas City win, and detonated for four touchdowns against the Packers three weeks later.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
In December the group detonated a car bomb in a municipality located along a top cocaine-trafficking route, killing four police officers.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Since the end of the Second World War, the United States and its allies had maintained a system of humanitarian interventionism, until the President so delightedly detonated it.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
Nix quelled doubt from a rocky start with a 295-yard game in that Kansas City win, and detonated for four touchdowns against the Packers three weeks later.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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The memorabilia market has exploded in the past 5 to 10 years, said independent appraiser Simeon Lipman, in part because there are new auction firms working directly with prop houses.—
Julie Brener Davich,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
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The analyst, who has seen many tech cycles come and go since starting his career in 1987, is part of a growing chorus of voices on Wall Street arguing that AI has now warped into a bubble that risks exploding.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After his cover was blown, Pine managed to get Teddy alone to play him secret recordings of Roper revealing that the antagonist never intended to acknowledge Teddy as his legitimate heir.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Along with her balloon popping exercise, Pritchett talked about the importance of living within oneself and finding strength there.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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Stars in this year's crop of spots range from Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who appears in a Bud Light commercial with singer Post Malone, to pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who stars in a Pringles ad.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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