detonation

noun

ˌde-tᵊn-ˈā-shən How to pronounce detonation (audio)
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 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
  1. explosion
  2. eruption
Noun
  • That has led to an explosion in interest in the annual Pacific leaders meeting, which has grown from a casual affair to a summit with 2,000 attendees.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • More messages arrived over Discord, X, WhatsApp, and even from a colleague who had been asked by a friend to see whether Fabian would correct his story to say that the explosion had been caused by interceptor fragments.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Roads, vehicles and buildings in several villages in Karo affected by the eruption were covered in gray ash.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Seeing the Braves compete in this series with the Dodgers, from the walk-off win to the ace performances to the timely snags to Truist Park’s eruptions, hearkened back memories of October 2021.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of eruption

Browse Nearby Words

detonating
detonation
detonations
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Cite this Entry

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on detonation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detonation

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