detonate

verb

det·​o·​nate ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt 

ˈde-tə-ˌnāt

detonated; detonating

intransitive verb

: to explode with sudden violence

transitive verb

1

: to cause to detonate

detonate a bomb

compare deflagrate

2

: to set off in a burst of activity : spark

programs that detonated controversies

detonatable

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tə-bəl 

ˈde-tə-ˌnā-

adjective

detonative

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tiv 

ˈde-tə-ˌnā-

adjective

Synonyms

• blow
• blow up
• burst
• crump
• explode
• go off
• pop

Examples of detonate in a Sentence

The first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945.

the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions

Recent Examples on the Web

Some Trump loyalists see the debt ceiling as a ticking time bomb, set to detonate in the middle of Trump's first year. —Hans Nichols, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

The bomb was detonated remotely by the suspect once Kirillov was seen leaving the building, according to the FSB. —Michael D. Carroll, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

The email claimed that a pipe bomb was hidden in Greene’s mailbox, set to detonate over the weekend or when opened. —Hanna Park, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

Farther astern from where Fernandez stood, a 500-pound bomb landed, piercing three decks and detonating another magazine. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French détoner to explode, from Latin detonare to expend thunder, from de- + tonare to thunder — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

detonate

verb

det·​o·​nate ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt 

ˈdet-ə-ˌnāt

detonated; detonating

: to explode or cause to explode with sudden violence

detonation

ˌdet-ᵊn-ˈā-shən

ˌdet-ə-ˈnā-

noun