Thesaurus results for DETONATION

detonation

noun

ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən

Definition of detonation

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

Relevance

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 Yet enterprise returns on AI investments remain modest, adoption is uneven and national productivity data show no economic detonation. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Another service member was injured during the detonation and received medical treatment. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 If Russia moves in this direction, a nuclear detonation in low-Earth orbit could be the ultimate Starlink killer. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026 Researchers know that a nuclear detonation in orbit would flood the space around Earth with fast, energetic electrons. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detonation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonation

Noun

Deadly fires, often linked to electrical faults or gas cylinder explosions, are common in India where investigators have frequently pointed to safety lapses and inadequate enforcement of fire regulations as contributing to recurring loss of life.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Hugo Weaving’s Frank Harkness, the nefarious birth father of agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowdon), also makes an appearance, and the trailer previews plenty of explosions, shootouts and even hand-to-hand combat.

— Lisa de los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of explosion

Noun

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities are central to supernova explosions as well as volcanic eruptions and this study will help astronomers and geophysicists alike in predict how energy moves through these systems.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of eruption

Browse Nearby Words

detonating

detonation

detonations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of detonation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on detonation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes