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
Sources said the device was dangerous, but not sophisticated enough to be detonated remotely.
—
Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Detecting magnetic fields is characteristic of influence mines, which respond to a ship’s magnetic, acoustic or pressure signature, as opposed to simple contact mines that detonate when ships run into them.
—John Femiani, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Designed to detonate at high altitude the munition disperses dozens of smaller bombs that are more challenging for Israel's multi-layered air defense system to intercept and can cause damage over a wider area.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
After the explosion, the ATF, FBI and sheriff’s officials conducted an extensive search of the 400-foot blast radius, and determined only one of two grenades that had been seized by the detectives had detonated.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Detecting magnetic fields is characteristic of influence mines, which respond to a ship’s magnetic, acoustic or pressure signature, as opposed to simple contact mines that detonate when ships run into them.
—John Femiani, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Designed to detonate at high altitude the munition disperses dozens of smaller bombs that are more challenging for Israel's multi-layered air defense system to intercept and can cause damage over a wider area.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
After the explosion, the ATF, FBI and sheriff’s officials conducted an extensive search of the 400-foot blast radius, and determined only one of two grenades that had been seized by the detectives had detonated.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Israeli media said cluster munitions, which explode mid-air and scatter bomblets across a wide area, were used in the attack.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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However, once the existence of dark energy was revealed, the activity of theorists in these arenas simply exploded, with many variants and parametrizations becoming popular or fashionable at various times.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Pitchers and batters are both worse than a coin-flip at issuing challenges – blown calls in a matter of seconds.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just under eight minutes into the first period Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin popped Flyers defenseman Cam York with a firm but largely unremarkable shove.—
Bailey Johnson,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
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March 21 – April 19 Precise plans help when little fires pop up.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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