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
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
Israel did not confirm its involvement in the immediate aftermath of the detonations, which came after months of Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which had ratcheted up in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Southern Israel.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Israel did not confirm its involvement in the immediate aftermath of the detonations, which came after months of Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which had ratcheted up in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Southern Israel.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonations
Noun
-
In addition to tremors emanating from within the planet, these sensors detect explosions, traffic vibrations and even the vocalizations made by whales in the oceans.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Ultimately, however, the shuttle flew a total of 135 missions with two explosions, resulting in 14 total casualties.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After eruptions in the 18th century buried farmland under ash, growers adapted by digging large pits called hoyos.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Much of the production is supremely pleasant to listen to, but just as hazy and confused as the plot, splitting between spacey expanses of synth and dramatic eruptions.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonations. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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