Definition of detonationnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detonation Chinese military scientists have already published models of such a nuclear detonation. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 Because of tungsten’s high density and melting point, the pellets retain their shape after detonation. — Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Gripped by a summer of weather extremes, Romania recently shut down its sole working nuclear reactor cooled by the Danube for the first time, with Bucharest even deploying naval forces to carry out underwater detonations to improve water flow. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 If The Odyssey lit the fuse, Spider-Man is the looming detonation. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detonation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonation
Noun
  • There’s been an explosion that has caused a giant ice shelf dubbed Judy, one roughly the size of Boston, to detach.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Blowing up a nuclear bomb in space would first destroy or disable any nearby satellites, and then the damage would spread as electronics-frying energetic particles from the explosion contaminated huge swaths of orbit.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The vehicle splashed down intact in the northern Pacific Ocean three hours and eight minutes after liftoff, causing another eruption of cheers from the folks gathered at Starbase.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Surveillance video from the park shows an eruption of gunfire that lasted about 30 seconds as people fled the area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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