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
To kick-start the program, Teller wanted to create an instant harbor by burying, and then detonating, five thermonuclear bombs in an Indigenous village in coastal northwestern Alaska.
—
The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
In a 30-second video shared on social media, authorities detonate the explosive in the desert area.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
First, the teams identified an issue with the hardware that communicates with a system designed to detonate the rocket to protect public safety if the rocket veers off course.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Local reporters described a massive explosion in one such town on Wednesday, later confirmed to be part of the Israeli military’s expanding policy of detonating and leveling structures to prevent residents from returning.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
In a 30-second video shared on social media, authorities detonate the explosive in the desert area.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
First, the teams identified an issue with the hardware that communicates with a system designed to detonate the rocket to protect public safety if the rocket veers off course.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Local reporters described a massive explosion in one such town on Wednesday, later confirmed to be part of the Israeli military’s expanding policy of detonating and leveling structures to prevent residents from returning.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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More advanced packaging methods took off as chip complexity exploded in the last few years with the advent of AI.—
Katie Tarasov,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Duke would make the 2025 Final Four before blowing a lead and getting upset by Houston in the national semifinal.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and the Los Angeles Clippers recovered after blowing a 23-point lead to beat rookie Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks 116-103 on Tuesday night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The offices and high-rises that are popping up and bringing in a younger clientele weren’t yet there to block out the sun.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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La Traila Barbecue, which popped up around South Florida in 2020 at spots like Unbranded Brewing in Hialeah, is opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in South Miami.—
Connie Ogle
April 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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