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
  • Among the most destructive munitions in Western military arsenals, an MK-84 explosion sends metal fragments in every direction for thousands of feet, can rip through metal and thick concrete, and often creates large craters in the earth.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The supervisor also will have a say in the county’s defense against a multimillion-dollar lawsuit stemming from the deadly 2025 Esparto fireworks explosion.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But Alex Bregman and the rest of the Cubs’ offensive eruption allowed Imanaga to settle into cruise control, which helped give the Cubs a 12-2 blowout of the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
    Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Geology Agency cautioned that volcanic activity remains elevated and the probability of further eruptions is still high.
    Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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