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
Natural Laboratories The discovery is even more interesting because in the same detonation event another very rare material was formed: a silicon-rich quasicrystal, already documented by the team of experts led by Bindi a few years ago.
—
Marta Musso, Wired News, 17 May 2026
For nine years, this has been his life’s work: the math, the emptiness, the detonations.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 May 2026
The idea for the massive detonation tunnel began as an inquiry from the coal mining industry.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 May 2026
And in 2021 the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) tested a rotating detonation engine in space, successfully firing it for six seconds.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Marta Musso, Wired News, 17 May 2026
For nine years, this has been his life’s work: the math, the emptiness, the detonations.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 May 2026
The idea for the massive detonation tunnel began as an inquiry from the coal mining industry.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 May 2026
And in 2021 the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) tested a rotating detonation engine in space, successfully firing it for six seconds.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonation
Noun
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The larger and more immediate risk came from the possible explosion.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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The chemical behind the explosion — ammonium nitrate — is not regulated under RMP.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Noun
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While the meteor caused an eruption across Massachusetts, it was seen falling in nearby states before the explosion.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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Seeley drove in Allen for a 9-0 lead with a single, and Arzuaga ended the eruption with a two-run double.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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