Synonyms of detonating

detonating

verb

present participle of detonate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exploding
• blowing
• popping
• bursting
• firing
• shattering
• crumping
• going off
• smashing
• blowing up
• fragmenting
• splintering
• discharging
• shooting
• mushrooming
• burgeoning
• ballooning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• imploding
• collapsing
• fizzling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detonating

Its construction required detonating explosives in the national monument, blasting apart an area called Monument Hill and outraging tribal leaders. — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026

Akhtar the author, though, is conducting a stealthy psyop aimed at detonating the certainties of combatants on both sides. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Jentleson compares the power of fusing race and these questions of fairness to detonating a nuclear warhead. — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

In a secret 1958 project, the Air Force considered detonating a nuclear bomb on the Moon. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

McGuire also admitted to detonating the bomb in retaliation for various alleged government wrongs, including sheriff’s deputies seizing his firearms earlier that year. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Bad Company, a spy spoof starring Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins as agents trying to stop a suitcase bomb from detonating in Manhattan, moved from Christmas to June. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Bowie planned to put the bomb in a delivery bag and escape to Syria after detonating it, the complaint alleges. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

Just weeks before her confrontation with Cunningham, Carrington sent shockwaves through the WNBA by publicly detonating her former relationship on social media. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026