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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detonating
In July 2011, a Norwegian neo-Nazi went on a rampage, detonating a bomb in Oslo, Norway, before opening fire at a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island.
—
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonating
Verb
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And to be thrown into now this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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To be thrown into, now, this separation and exploding, blowing up her family this way.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The club simply dominated for nearly the first five months of the season, only to suffer the largest single collapse in major league history, blowing a 15 1/2-game lead on July 8 to lose the AL Central Division pennant to the Cleveland Guardians.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Giants, meanwhile, are coming off a painful defeat to the Denver Broncos, after blowing a 19-0 lead and losing 33-32 on a last-second Denver field goal after missing two PATs of their own, including one with 37 seconds left.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All around Turkey, Farm Bank produce stands were popping up.—
Moisés Naím,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Sliding Barn Doors—Especially on Bathrooms Sliding barn doors were one of the most popular design trends of the mid-2000s, popping up in everything from farmhouse-style kitchens to modern bedrooms.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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