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
It’s been more than two decades since the Transportation Security Administration started putting people’s footwear through its scanners, after a man named Richard Reid tried and failed to detonate his high-top sneakers on a flight to Miami in December 2001.
—
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
At the same time, a squad attempts to raid the lab, leading to a massive shoot-out culminating with the drug dealers detonating an explosive, destroying the lab.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 17 July 2025
Just a few weeks later, on August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb used in warfare detonated approximately 580 meters above Hiroshima — a city of 350,000 located on the coastal plain of the Chugoku region in western Honshu, Japan.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
In 1945: The Manhattan Project successfully detonated the world’s first atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
At the same time, a squad attempts to raid the lab, leading to a massive shoot-out culminating with the drug dealers detonating an explosive, destroying the lab.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 17 July 2025
Just a few weeks later, on August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb used in warfare detonated approximately 580 meters above Hiroshima — a city of 350,000 located on the coastal plain of the Chugoku region in western Honshu, Japan.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
In 1945: The Manhattan Project successfully detonated the world’s first atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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The controversy exploded when Randi (@Randipandy_) posted a now-viral video from her car, blasting parents who refuse to buy even basic items for the classroom.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 July 2025
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The team’s high valuation shows how strong a demand there is to invest in Formula 1, which saw its popularity explode in the U.S. thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series—and surely Brad Pitt and Damson Idris’s F1 flick helped out with that, too.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 July 2025
Verb
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In other words, keep up or watch your competition blow past you.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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Bednar allowed a solo homer, a double, and a pair of singles to blow the lead for the Yankees.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yankovic may be best known for writing sometimes topical, sometimes silly alternatives to pop’s biggest hits, but his skill as a performer almost surpasses his wit as a songwriter.—
Courtney Devores,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
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What does pop culture icon and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner and experimental British artist Helen Marten have in common?—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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