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
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
At the climactic sally, six aerial bombs were dropped; none scored a direct hit, but their detonations damaged the hull so severely that the ship sank in 21 minutes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has emphasized that ongoing tests will not include nuclear detonations but will validate new subsystems and ensure readiness.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Dailey traveled to Gralphs' Madison, Wisconsin, home in 2019, and learned about his experiences in Operation Crossroads, a pair of nuclear tests that took place at Bikini Atoll in 1946, marking the first nuclear detonations since the bombs dropped on Japan.
—Hope Hodge Seck, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Those detonations had the explosive equivalent of one Hiroshima-sized atomic bomb every day for 20 years, according to a 2025 report from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER).
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
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
At the climactic sally, six aerial bombs were dropped; none scored a direct hit, but their detonations damaged the hull so severely that the ship sank in 21 minutes.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has emphasized that ongoing tests will not include nuclear detonations but will validate new subsystems and ensure readiness.
—Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Dailey traveled to Gralphs' Madison, Wisconsin, home in 2019, and learned about his experiences in Operation Crossroads, a pair of nuclear tests that took place at Bikini Atoll in 1946, marking the first nuclear detonations since the bombs dropped on Japan.
—Hope Hodge Seck, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Those detonations had the explosive equivalent of one Hiroshima-sized atomic bomb every day for 20 years, according to a 2025 report from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER).
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonations
Noun
-
Flaring involves burning off residual vapors or gases in a safe manner to depressurize them and prevent explosions or accidents.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
On Saturday, Atallah Abu Hadaiyed heard explosions in Gaza City during his morning prayers and ran outside to find his cousins lying on the ground as flames curled around them.—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kilauea’s eruptions are Pele’s movements.—
Tommy Orange,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
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Aside from volcanic eruptions, forest fires can also make the moon appear blue.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonations. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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