detonate
verb
det·o·nate
ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt 
ˈde-tə-ˌnāt
detonated; detonating
: to explode with sudden violence
1
: to cause to detonate
detonate a bomb
compare deflagrate
2
: to set off in a burst of activity : spark
programs that detonated controversies
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
The atomic bomb detonated instead above the Shima Surgical Hospital.
—
Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
The rule was introduced in response to an unsuccessful attempt by a passenger to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Former Minnesota Republican leader Michael Brodkorb has shared footage of someone detonating a device in the trash can outside his home.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The shoes-off policy began in 2006 after an incident in 2001, when Richard Reid attempted to detonate an explosive device built into his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.
—Kansas City Star, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
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Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
The rule was introduced in response to an unsuccessful attempt by a passenger to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Former Minnesota Republican leader Michael Brodkorb has shared footage of someone detonating a device in the trash can outside his home.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
The shoes-off policy began in 2006 after an incident in 2001, when Richard Reid attempted to detonate an explosive device built into his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.
—Kansas City Star, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detonate
verb
det·o·nate
ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt
ˈdet-ə-ˌnāt
detonated; detonating
: to explode or cause to explode with sudden violence
detonation
noun
ˌdet-ᵊn-ˈā-shən
ˌdet-ə-ˈnā-
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