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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detonating
In one video a drone runs into protective netting at least 50 feet above the target and detonating prematurely.
—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Investigators found that Aliji intended to drive a Volkswagen Beetle equipped with fake police sirens and flashing blue lights toward crowds outside the venue before detonating explosives concealed inside a Red Bull can.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Its material originated during October 1977 sessions at Memphis’ Ardent Studios, where the original lineup — the late Lux Interior, Poison Ivy, Bryan Gregory and Nick Knox — worked with Chilton shortly before detonating the underground rock landscape.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
27 May 2026
While the $25,000 charge is a monthly fee for the satellite connection provided to a satellite terminal, the terminals are being used with drones that only make one-way trips before hitting targets and detonating on impact.
—
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
One culminated last year with abject disaster, with Karl Lysinger detonating his Oak Park house and dying in the process, months after the home was auctioned.
—
Graham Womack
may 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Two Massachusetts men have pleaded guilty to breaking into Harvard Medical School and detonating fireworks last Halloween night, a crime that caught the eye of FBI Director Kash Patel.
—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
And some advanced mines have counters that will let a certain number of ships pass before detonating.
—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
The 40-year-old from Alabama responded emphatically, detonating the fabled right hand several times and eventually pummeling Chisora to the ground.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2026
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Investigators found that Aliji intended to drive a Volkswagen Beetle equipped with fake police sirens and flashing blue lights toward crowds outside the venue before detonating explosives concealed inside a Red Bull can.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Its material originated during October 1977 sessions at Memphis’ Ardent Studios, where the original lineup — the late Lux Interior, Poison Ivy, Bryan Gregory and Nick Knox — worked with Chilton shortly before detonating the underground rock landscape.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
27 May 2026
While the $25,000 charge is a monthly fee for the satellite connection provided to a satellite terminal, the terminals are being used with drones that only make one-way trips before hitting targets and detonating on impact.
—
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
One culminated last year with abject disaster, with Karl Lysinger detonating his Oak Park house and dying in the process, months after the home was auctioned.
—
Graham Womack
may 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Two Massachusetts men have pleaded guilty to breaking into Harvard Medical School and detonating fireworks last Halloween night, a crime that caught the eye of FBI Director Kash Patel.
—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
And some advanced mines have counters that will let a certain number of ships pass before detonating.
—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
The 40-year-old from Alabama responded emphatically, detonating the fabled right hand several times and eventually pummeling Chisora to the ground.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonating
Verb
-
True to its name, Swift is designed to pivot quickly to capture late-breaking astronomical events such as gamma ray bursts and exploding stars.
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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 dryers exploding.
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
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Royce Lewis slipped an RBI single up the middle in the 10th inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Colorado Rockies 9-8 on Friday night after blowing a seven-run lead.
Verb
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Some data storage companies have seen even more eye-popping gains.
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Despite the rising beef prices, steakhouses are popping up like crazy across Fort Worth and Arlington.
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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