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
Built with a high-strength steel casing, it is engineered to withstand impacts from dense materials before detonating.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.
—Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque’s inner gate.
—Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.
—CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Two Swedes were convicted in a Danish court of terrorism and attempted murder for detonating two hand grenades near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen in October 2024.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Douville later learned that the trees around him were literally cracking apart, detonating from the inside.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Jayme Thornton Crossfire’s approach of detonating water balloons in midair—which has yet to be patented so the team would not describe it in detail—could eventually change the calculation about how much suppressant is needed to fight fires.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025
That was most evident with the two brothers who orchestrated the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, detonating two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line that killed three people and injured more than 260 others.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.
—Munir Ahmed, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque’s inner gate.
—Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The statement said the attacker on Friday opened fire on security guards who tried to stop him at the main gate before detonating his explosive vest after reaching the mosque's inner gate.
—CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Two Swedes were convicted in a Danish court of terrorism and attempted murder for detonating two hand grenades near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen in October 2024.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Douville later learned that the trees around him were literally cracking apart, detonating from the inside.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Jayme Thornton Crossfire’s approach of detonating water balloons in midair—which has yet to be patented so the team would not describe it in detail—could eventually change the calculation about how much suppressant is needed to fight fires.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025
That was most evident with the two brothers who orchestrated the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, detonating two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line that killed three people and injured more than 260 others.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonating
Verb
-
Emma and Kim’s dog, who stays with me from time to time, is also named Nova (for lox, not an exploding star).—
Margaret Moorman,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
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Red fireworks are then seen exploding over the bridge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most hotel treatments are nice but not mind blowing—these were.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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Coney Island live cam See blowing snow along the boardwalk and shoreline at Coney Island.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The video of the incident went viral online, popping up across different platforms and drawing varying reactions from different political spheres, garnering praise and criticism alike.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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Foodies can savor global flavors at spots like Ghee and the ultra-refined Ogawa, opt for a dose of Nikkei cuisine popping up around the city, or dig into the growing farm dinner scene at spots like Ford’s Farm.—
Carrie Honaker,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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