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
These structures help trigger premature detonation, deflect attacks, or block small drones targeting the turret roof.
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was ordered in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device earlier on Saturday that wounded Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
But the deadly explosive devices were discovered before detonation and made safe.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
At the end of Carol and Zosia’s talk, Carol’s detonation of the quite-real grenade sends Pluribus in a whole new direction, where violence is possible and the endless accommodations offered to Carol might include a rocket launcher or an atom bomb.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was ordered in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device earlier on Saturday that wounded Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
But the deadly explosive devices were discovered before detonation and made safe.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
At the end of Carol and Zosia’s talk, Carol’s detonation of the quite-real grenade sends Pluribus in a whole new direction, where violence is possible and the endless accommodations offered to Carol might include a rocket launcher or an atom bomb.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonation
Noun
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Local media also reported that several explosions were heard before the fire began.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Jonathan Taylor’s offensive explosion helped push the Indianapolis Colts past the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in the first NFL regular-season game in Berlin, 31-25, in overtime.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But scientists still can’t fully predict how big an eruption will be, which can affect planning to help deal with the potential consequences on Earth.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
5 Jan. 2026
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While tantrums seem to come out of nowhere, striking with speed and intensity at the most inopportune times, scientists have been zeroing in on the buildup that can be underway for some time before an eruption.—
Michelle Fay Cortez,
Bloomberg,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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