as in explodes
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 detonates
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.
—
Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.
—EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Toussaint is killed in the penultimate episode after Shagan detonates a bomb on Saskia’s computer.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Welcome to the Engineered Dreamscape Placemaking takes empty space and detonates it with story, spectacle and seduction.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
The supernova detonates, unleashing an expanding wave of light.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.
—EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Toussaint is killed in the penultimate episode after Shagan detonates a bomb on Saskia’s computer.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Welcome to the Engineered Dreamscape Placemaking takes empty space and detonates it with story, spectacle and seduction.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
The supernova detonates, unleashing an expanding wave of light.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonates
Verb
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The post also included a video showing aerial footage of a fast-moving boat at sea that suddenly explodes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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When Whitney accuses her of lying to cover up her misdoings, everything explodes.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Vandy isn’t going to line up and trade blows with Alabama.—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Dallas Cowboys were part of an instant classic on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, trading blows all game before the matchup ultimately went into overtime and ended in a 40-40 tie.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Will his focus remain the same when the first trade rumor pops up?—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Harrison pops in and out of these different iterations of the characters seamlessly, dropping Midlands slang in his baby blue trackies one moment and then fiercely fighting back tears the next.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonates. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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