as in explodes
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 detonates
Gemma then detonates the device.
—
Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.
—EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Toussaint is killed in the penultimate episode after Shagan detonates a bomb on Saskia’s computer.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Welcome to the Engineered Dreamscape Placemaking takes empty space and detonates it with story, spectacle and seduction.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
The supernova detonates, unleashing an expanding wave of light.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.
—EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Toussaint is killed in the penultimate episode after Shagan detonates a bomb on Saskia’s computer.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Welcome to the Engineered Dreamscape Placemaking takes empty space and detonates it with story, spectacle and seduction.
—Bob Bonniol, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
The supernova detonates, unleashing an expanding wave of light.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonates
Verb
-
After debuting with minimal fanfare in November 2025, the provocative Canadian drama about rival hockey players whose passion explodes into lust (and eventually love) became a word-of-mouth sensation.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Grand Prix winner of last year’s Cannes Critics Week, filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s snaky, surprising fable starts with a sneeze and explodes into a saga about bureaucracy, modernization and moral corruption.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seeking changes Like much of Connecticut, Brookfield already experiences poor air quality and particulate-matter pollution that blows into the state from the west.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
-
And the spending rarely stops when the final whistle blows.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now former Roots and Black Swan chef Charlie Smith heads up the kitchen, although Tommy often pops in for lunch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Just walking the sidewalk at Madison Children's Museum is full of surprises—artwork pops up spontaneously through the windows for a one-of-a-kind experience every time.—
Elena Donovan Mauer,
Parents,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonates. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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