as in exploding
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 detonating
Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.
—
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonating
Verb
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With anime exploding internationally, Iijima has been instrumental in positioning Crunchyroll as the industry’s premier global partner.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
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But sure enough, the artist born Frederick John Philip Gibson enlisted Amy Taylor and company for his drum n’ bass-inflected latest single, harnessing the group’s energy and then exploding it with Gesaffelstein-like sirens and typically all-over-the-place vocal triggers.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Equating your value to your bank account, or blowing cash to feel validated.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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He and his apprentices host glass- blowing classes on Fridays and Saturdays (reservation required), when guests can make anything from a bowl to a tumbler to an ornament.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the high-profile nature of the awards and the eye-popping figures associated with them are pushing board-level compensation committees that negotiate CEO pay to prepare for conversations about similar packages.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
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Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — popping up in his fantasy.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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