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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Sources say Doomsday is exploding on long-lead tracking.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
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Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Videos captured the scene, which included people blowing whistles and horns, and neighbors screaming at more than a dozen gun-toting agents to leave Thao's family alone.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Videos captured the scene, which included people blowing whistles and horns, and neighbors screaming at more than a dozen gun-toting agents to leave Thao’s family alone.—
Mark Vancleave,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The buttery biscuit sandwiches, ranging from $3 to $12, are popping up around the city.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2026
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An eye-popping 47% of respondents experienced anxiety or panic during the homebuying process.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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