as in exploded
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as in popped
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of detonated
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The posture changed dramatically in 1995 when Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb next to a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 167 people.
—Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
One person is dead following a fiery crash at a health club early Saturday in Portland, Oregon, according to authorities who also said explosive devices — some of which had detonated — were found.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
The explosives, some of which detonated and some did not, were believed to have been a mix of propane tanks and pipe bombs.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
On May 4, 1886, a bomb detonated during protests and police officers fired shots.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 May 2026
That bridge has been burned, detonated, destroyed, nuked, lasered to death.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.
—Philipp Jenne, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Authorities determined that an explosive device had been brought aboard the aircraft, likely concealed in a radio, and detonated shortly after takeoff.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP Portland police said in a statement Saturday night that during an ensuing search of the vehicle and building, investigators located several incendiary and improvised explosive devices, some of which had partially detonated.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The posture changed dramatically in 1995 when Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb next to a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 167 people.
—Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
One person is dead following a fiery crash at a health club early Saturday in Portland, Oregon, according to authorities who also said explosive devices — some of which had detonated — were found.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
The explosives, some of which detonated and some did not, were believed to have been a mix of propane tanks and pipe bombs.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
On May 4, 1886, a bomb detonated during protests and police officers fired shots.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 May 2026
That bridge has been burned, detonated, destroyed, nuked, lasered to death.
—Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving, becoming the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.
—Philipp Jenne, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Authorities determined that an explosive device had been brought aboard the aircraft, likely concealed in a radio, and detonated shortly after takeoff.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonated
Adjective
-
Astronomically, the Beehive is considered an open star cluster, a group of young stars that formed from the same hydrogen nebula, sprinkled with heavier elements from a long-since exploded star.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of this block (shown as part of the data pipeline in Figure 1).—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fake images of celebrities like Katy Perry and Rihanna also popped up online during the Met Gala in 2024.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
The blond boy followed, plopped down into Floppy Hair’s lap, then popped back up and pogoed away.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
With more than a dozen varieties grown in and around SoCal, in 2026 alone, heads (of cabbage) will roll if Angelenos can’t get their fix of this vitamin-rich, potassium-laden, calcium-blasted antioxidant VIP in 2026.—
Rebecca Leib,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Each earbud is made from polished aluminum and housed in a pearl-blasted charging case made from natural aluminum.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brunson had 27 points by halftime, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that blew the score to 74-51 and gave him the second-most first-half points in Knicks playoff history.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
The Great Gatsby was the first book that kind of blew things open for me in terms of symbolism and deeper meaning and language.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Above him, the attackers shattered monitors, severed electrical wires and smashed pipes.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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The entire place is dedicated to modern popular culture and boasts an eye-catching exterior reminiscent of a smashed electric guitar.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Images from the scene show a white car with a battered front and a shattered windshield.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
-
Upon arrival, police found the front glass door open and shattered and there was glass everywhere.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonated. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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