as in explosions
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 detonations
Given the prospect of nuclear war, humanity’s arsenal could indeed wipe out every living human on Earth from detonations and the ensuing fallout.
—
Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Remote detonations are also used to trigger slides intentionally and remove risky buildup before skiers are allowed on the slopes, said Chris Lundy, an avalanche specialist with the National Avalanche Center.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
His public address envisioned a future filled with waves of nuclear arms buildups and test detonations.
—New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Ukrainian officials said powerful explosions and secondary detonations were recorded at the site, while the extent of damage was still being assessed.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Others were instant detonations.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
However, calculations on the fallout from atmospheric detonations forced scientists to rethink this.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
However, there’s a palpable atmosphere of tension amidst what’s happening with these detonations.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
Silva saw two fires on the runway that were quickly put out, and reported hearing similar detonations and planes flying low over Caracas for at least an hour.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Jan. 2026
Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
Remote detonations are also used to trigger slides intentionally and remove risky buildup before skiers are allowed on the slopes, said Chris Lundy, an avalanche specialist with the National Avalanche Center.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
His public address envisioned a future filled with waves of nuclear arms buildups and test detonations.
—New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Ukrainian officials said powerful explosions and secondary detonations were recorded at the site, while the extent of damage was still being assessed.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Others were instant detonations.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
However, calculations on the fallout from atmospheric detonations forced scientists to rethink this.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
However, there’s a palpable atmosphere of tension amidst what’s happening with these detonations.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
Silva saw two fires on the runway that were quickly put out, and reported hearing similar detonations and planes flying low over Caracas for at least an hour.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonations
Noun
-
In California, with its history of wildfires often caused by arson or negligence, prosecutors have not shied away from filing criminal charges, including murder, against people suspected of starting blazes or explosions, Taylor said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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If such rockets could be launched at sea, then explosions would be less of an issue for neighbouring population centers.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Across the jagged volcanic landscape of spontaneous eruptions and tumbling detritus, a space of relative calm will invariably open up.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Geomagnetic storms, on the other hand, are caused by the impact of rapid streams of plasma on Earth's magnetic field, most dramatic during violent eruptions of plasma (coronal mass ejections) from the sun.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonations. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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