detonated 1 of 2

detonated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of detonate
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 detonated
Verb
The backpack slid between a victim’s legs and detonated outside a courtroom. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Less than a decade earlier, his wife and then-3-year-old daughter were on the building's first floor when a truck bomb detonated in the underground garage. Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Igor Kirillov, a general in charge of the Russian military’s nuclear and chemical weapons protection forces, was killed in December 2024 when an explosive device planted on a scooter was detonated near him. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 The older Green Lantern taunted the alien so much, that the creature detonated itself, blowing a hole into the side of the jail. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 Explosions could be heard as the munitions detonated during the fire, forcing firefighters to stay out of the area for safety. ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 The committee said the woman was stopped by security before the bomb was detonated near the restaurant's entrance. Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year gave him a golden pager to commemorate an operation in which members of Hezbollah were killed when their pagers detonated. Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonated
Adjective
  • Surgical repair entails opening the scrotum to expose the exploded testicle, stopping any bleeding, removing any dead tissue, tucking the testicle back into the scrotum and sewing the tunica albuginea back together.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • An exploded sunfish spread out in the water in thousands of pieces is certainly easier to share, offering another possible explanation for this practice.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • As a bonus, to fully un-break the Heartbreakers’ circle, Lynch stepped aside from the drums for the final number to let lat his successor, Steve Ferrone, step in for the finale, and 21st-century utility man Scott Thurston popped in as well.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The New Balance 990v7 popped up suddenly Wednesday on a New York City billboard.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The symbol of an institution that for decades has prepared many of Ukraine’s top public finance officials and ministers sat bomb-blasted and unusable.
    Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Georgia State wasn’t done, as running back Qwantavius Wiggins blew past the UCF defense, racing 78 yards for a touchdown and giving the Panthers their first lead of the game at 21-17.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Smith, the shortest player in the FBS at 5-foot-5, fielded the ball at the 2 near the left sideline, faked a reverse handoff near the 10 before changing direction and blew past Cincinnati’s kick coverage team up the right sideline.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Tracee Ellis Ross favors Udi’s gluten-free bread topped with smashed avocado, lemon juice, crushed red pepper and salt as an afternoon snack, according to a People food diary.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The marrow adds decadence to what appears to be, at first glance, just another pair of smashed patties slipped inside a sesame seed bun.
    Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • An employee of Frato’s Kitchen & Gaming in Schaumburg, which was broken into early Tuesday morning, said the business had to close for two days while workers cleaned up shattered glass and other damage.
    Charles Keeshan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Aerial images showed the LAPD vehicle with a shattered windshield.
    Austin Turner, CBS News, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detonated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonated. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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