as in explosion
the act or an instance of exploding
there was a series of detonations around the base of the condemned building, causing it to come crashing down in a matter of minutes
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Recent Examples of detonation
Silva saw two fires on the runway that were quickly put out, and reported hearing similar detonations and planes flying low over Caracas for at least an hour.
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Jan. 2026
The Russian Defense Ministry denied launching any strikes with missiles or other airborne weapons on Kharkiv on Friday and suggested, without offering evidence, that the damage could have been caused by the detonation of ammunition at a weapons depot.
—Illia Novikov, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
At the climactic sally, six aerial bombs were dropped; none scored a direct hit, but their detonations damaged the hull so severely that the ship sank in 21 minutes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Pyrotechnic devices are defined as any item designed to create light or sound effects by combustion or detonation.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Jan. 2026
The Russian Defense Ministry denied launching any strikes with missiles or other airborne weapons on Kharkiv on Friday and suggested, without offering evidence, that the damage could have been caused by the detonation of ammunition at a weapons depot.
—Illia Novikov, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
At the climactic sally, six aerial bombs were dropped; none scored a direct hit, but their detonations damaged the hull so severely that the ship sank in 21 minutes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Pyrotechnic devices are defined as any item designed to create light or sound effects by combustion or detonation.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonation
Noun
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In the initial aftermath of the explosion, a lower number of casualties was released, but Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon gave the latest tolls.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
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At least 12 people have been killed after an explosion at a Shiite Muslim mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Friday, Punjab Police told CNN.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Naughty or Nice During a volcanic eruption, a scorching, chaotic river of lava flows over the ground.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Feb. 2026
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Already teased throughout today’s broadcast, the arrival of the 232 athletes of Team USA initially saw an eruption of applause in San Siro.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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