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
Relevance
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
Many of the bombs dropped during that period did not detonate, remaining hidden beneath the ground until construction or development work brings them to light.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
The shell was safely detonated in the woods near a local compost area by the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad the day it was found, authorities said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Season 2 followed the aftermath of the events in Season 1, which ended with a bomb being detonated in central London.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Instead, the redesign detonated a culture war.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
The shell was safely detonated in the woods near a local compost area by the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad the day it was found, authorities said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Season 2 followed the aftermath of the events in Season 1, which ended with a bomb being detonated in central London.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Instead, the redesign detonated a culture war.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
-
Perhaps one of the most interesting seed dispersal tactics is the ones that explode.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
-
And earlier this month, Ellison briefly became the richest person in the world, eclipsing Elon Musk, as Oracle’s stock exploded on its prognostications for its booming AI business.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kansas football blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost to Cincinnati on Saturday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
-
After blowing a golden opportunity against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Ravens blew out the Cleveland Browns but then coughed up another statement-win opportunity against the Detroit Lions last week.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Investors seemed to be focused on the former, with the stock popping more than 4% in extended trading.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Harry the catfish popped to the surface first, his fishy breath curling the grass along the bank.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share