as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions
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Recent Examples of detonate
Many of the bombs dropped during that period did not detonate, remaining hidden beneath the ground until construction or development work brings them to light.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
It was also detonated by the state police bomb squad, according to officials, the newspaper reported.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Season 2 followed the aftermath of the events in Season 1, which ended with a bomb being detonated in central London.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Instead, the redesign detonated a culture war.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
It was also detonated by the state police bomb squad, according to officials, the newspaper reported.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Season 2 followed the aftermath of the events in Season 1, which ended with a bomb being detonated in central London.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Instead, the redesign detonated a culture war.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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The frustration has exploded online, with customers sharing horror stories on Reddit of missing skin care products, art and collectibles.—
Kayla Steinberg,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
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After the fireworks exploded, after Orion Kerkering bent to his knees in despair, after the Los Angeles Dodgers mobbed the field and claimed the National League Division Series with a 2-1 walk-off win in Game 4, the Phillies processed it all in the Dodger Stadium visitors clubhouse.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But then a ref blew the whistle as the buzzer sounded, giving Duke two meaningless free throws while up by four.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
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The two shared a playful moment, dancing together before Charli slipped her sunglasses onto Role Model’s face, blew him a kiss, and made her exit.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shares of Broadcom popped almost 10% on the news.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
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With the latest round of funding, Rudolph is hoping to grow WellTheory's product and technology team, to deepen relationships with employers and health plan clients and to build out new programs that address unique needs that are popping up in the population.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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