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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
In Bullet Train Explosion, a train has to maintain 100kmh speed to prevent a detonation, and much chaos and tension follows.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
In the event of a nuclear attack, traffic would halt, and instead civilians would stream in, sealing off the tunnel entrances with the aid of four concrete doors 1.5 meters thick and capable of withstanding a nuclear detonation at a distance of 1 kilometer.
—Jessi Jezewska Stevens, The Dial, 24 Apr. 2025
That will initiate not one, but four explosions — a quadruple detonation.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
According to Reuters, laser fusion enables researchers to study how such reactions work and to examine detonation that would otherwise require an explosive test.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
In the event of a nuclear attack, traffic would halt, and instead civilians would stream in, sealing off the tunnel entrances with the aid of four concrete doors 1.5 meters thick and capable of withstanding a nuclear detonation at a distance of 1 kilometer.
—Jessi Jezewska Stevens, The Dial, 24 Apr. 2025
That will initiate not one, but four explosions — a quadruple detonation.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
According to Reuters, laser fusion enables researchers to study how such reactions work and to examine detonation that would otherwise require an explosive test.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonation
Noun
-
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said in an X post that explosions were heard in the northern Indian state’s capital Srinagar just hours after both nations agreed to maintain a ceasefire.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
-
Residents living near Srinagar city’s airport, which is also an air base, said they were rattled by the explosions and booming sound of jets.—
Riazat Butt,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
The eruption can also form new thermal vents and offer a place for these organisms to repopulate.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
16 May 2025
-
Flames coach Kelly Nangle did not seem surprised by O’Brien’s eruption.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share