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
But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history.
—
Christopher Anderson, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026
Gemma then detonates the device.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
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
Christopher Anderson, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
The intrigue detonates immediately with a commercial flight taken down by a missile strike, setting off a widening conspiracy.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026
Gemma then detonates the device.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
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
-
An incoming projectile explodes over the water in the bay of Haifa off of the northern Israeli coastal city on February 28, 2026.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The next morning, Carolyn explodes under the pressure of her own rage.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The final whistle blows at Miami Stadium, yet the adrenaline is still high.—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Pay special attention to soil moisture when the wind blows.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But when her childhood friend Pinky (Amanda Oruh) pops back into her life, Lady’s dormant emotions start to come to the surface.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Mar. 2026
-
That's when a man pops his head out.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonates. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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