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 militia’s rank and file, meanwhile, was shattered first by pagers, then walkie-talkies that detonated in their hands, having been boobytrapped by Mossad.
—
Karl Vick, Time, 13 June 2025
In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, the city’s mayor Alejandro Eder said three explosive devices were detonated on Tuesday.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The Royal Navy is testing how to use robots to seek out and detonate mines and other threats found near vital yet vulnerable undersea cables and pipelines at greater depths than a human diver can safely reach.
—David Szondy
june 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025
Torkelson smoothed out his swing, found his timing and detonated a blast that sent the ball crescendoing over the left-field fence.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Karl Vick, Time, 13 June 2025
In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, the city’s mayor Alejandro Eder said three explosive devices were detonated on Tuesday.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The Royal Navy is testing how to use robots to seek out and detonate mines and other threats found near vital yet vulnerable undersea cables and pipelines at greater depths than a human diver can safely reach.
—David Szondy
june 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025
Torkelson smoothed out his swing, found his timing and detonated a blast that sent the ball crescendoing over the left-field fence.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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During World War II, the company created field rations for the armed services, and Chef Boyardee exploded to a company with $20 million in annual revenue (over $320 million in today’s money).—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
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Earlier this week, excitement exploded online after an announcement suggested that staking $100,000 in TON for three years, plus a one-time $35,000 processing fee, would grant applicants a 10-year UAE Golden Visa.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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That connection and warmth was obvious on Friday night, with Cardi blowing past her bedtime to give the gays, the dolls and everyone else an experience beyond what any other NYC festival provides.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
28 June 2025
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The sound of wind blowing and the floorboards settling is enough to prompt her to peer outside for possible hazards, hastily locking the front door after scanning the perimeter.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The beverage industry has truly popped its lid on transformation over the last decade, moving from a space dominated by legacy players like Coca-Cola and Pepsi to one where new entrants are reshaping what consumers’ taste buds expect from their thirst-quenchers.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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This uptick helps explain why monthly sales of the pouches more than tripled between 2021 and 2024, even as usage in adults remains low—under 3% report ever popping one in, though that number is higher among folks who currently smoke (11%) or once did (7%).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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