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
Named after the infamous Japanese suicide pilots of World War II, these kinds of drones can actively hunt for targets, track them, and then ram into them, detonating their explosive payloads.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
To kick-start the program, Teller wanted to create an instant harbor by burying, and then detonating, five thermonuclear bombs in an Indigenous village in coastal northwestern Alaska.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
To kick-start the program, Teller wanted to create an instant harbor by burying, and then detonating, five thermonuclear bombs in an Indigenous village in coastal northwestern Alaska.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Mohammad Hossein Fahmideh, a 13-year-old Basij soldier who destroyed an Iraqi tank by throwing himself under it and detonating a grenade belt, is widely commemorated as a hero by the government.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Local reporters described a massive explosion in one such town on Wednesday, later confirmed to be part of the Israeli military’s expanding policy of detonating and leveling structures to prevent residents from returning.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
That morning, a drone crashed in the Majnoon oil field north of Basra without detonating.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
No, a restaurant where conviviality flows like a broken water main, and the food is rich, comforting and detonating with flavor.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
Experts also reported little evidence that Iran is actively resuming its efforts to enrich uranium, let alone building a bomb-detonating mechanism.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
To kick-start the program, Teller wanted to create an instant harbor by burying, and then detonating, five thermonuclear bombs in an Indigenous village in coastal northwestern Alaska.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
To kick-start the program, Teller wanted to create an instant harbor by burying, and then detonating, five thermonuclear bombs in an Indigenous village in coastal northwestern Alaska.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Mohammad Hossein Fahmideh, a 13-year-old Basij soldier who destroyed an Iraqi tank by throwing himself under it and detonating a grenade belt, is widely commemorated as a hero by the government.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Local reporters described a massive explosion in one such town on Wednesday, later confirmed to be part of the Israeli military’s expanding policy of detonating and leveling structures to prevent residents from returning.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
That morning, a drone crashed in the Majnoon oil field north of Basra without detonating.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
No, a restaurant where conviviality flows like a broken water main, and the food is rich, comforting and detonating with flavor.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
Experts also reported little evidence that Iran is actively resuming its efforts to enrich uranium, let alone building a bomb-detonating mechanism.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonating
Verb
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Ponson had heard the lore of fast-developing storms in the northern Gulf — systems that escaped the notice of meteorologists — before exploding into near-gale winds, towering waves and rare but deadly storms.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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But Explosive News’ videos might be the world’s most potent example of slopaganda yet, changing hearts and minds—or at least generating lots of clicks—one exploding toy battleship at a time.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The city did not adopt its own grocery tax to replace it, blowing a roughly $80 million hole in its budget.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Bronx natives say popping up in the bodega was the natural choice.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
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Bodnar said popping noises lasted for about 90 seconds.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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