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
Poseidon had been described as a doomsday weapon that is designed to create a massive radioactive tsunami by detonating near coastal targets.
—
Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
In between detonating bombs hidden in Christmas presents and disfiguring the entire police force, Art sets his sights on the Shaw family.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The move could end a nearly three-decade period during which none of the world’s major nuclear powers have detonated a nuclear weapon.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
North Korea is the only nation that has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
In between detonating bombs hidden in Christmas presents and disfiguring the entire police force, Art sets his sights on the Shaw family.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The move could end a nearly three-decade period during which none of the world’s major nuclear powers have detonated a nuclear weapon.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
North Korea is the only nation that has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Propane tanks are actually more likely to explode due to excessive heat in the summer.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
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Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Straight line winds can blow down trees, power lines, and damage mobile homes and other buildings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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The Buffalo Bills were left stunned in Miami on Sunday afternoon as the Dolphins blew them out 30-13 in a crucial AFC East rivalry game.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rachmansky went all-in on what set his company apart, building a B2B model designed to service the growing amount of independent stores that were popping up seemingly overnight.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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Even then, the first name that popped up was indeed Kravitz’s.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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