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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detonate
This combination of vulnerability and vengeance was compounded by the overnight news that, according to the Israeli security services, terrorists had detonated bombs on several buses across central Israel.
—
Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The Chiefs’ Chris Jones was a defensive line menace who detonated the 49ers’ past two Super Bowl appearances.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
That a cooking gas cannister won’t detonate in error, and spark a shoot-out that breaks the peace permanently.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Just before noon, an archeologist located what... Posted by Vancouver Police Department on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The teams developed a plan to safely detonate the ordnance.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The Chiefs’ Chris Jones was a defensive line menace who detonated the 49ers’ past two Super Bowl appearances.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
That a cooking gas cannister won’t detonate in error, and spark a shoot-out that breaks the peace permanently.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Just before noon, an archeologist located what... Posted by Vancouver Police Department on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The teams developed a plan to safely detonate the ordnance.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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The chamber exploded in applause as Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer announced that Booker had broken the record.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Apr. 2025
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The hot start comes after a memorable freshman season for Messi, who exploded onto the MLS scene with 20 goals in 15 games and led his new squad to the best regular season record in the league.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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What used to build brands now risks blowing them up.—
Remy Blumenfeld,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Apr. 2025
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Reliever Jorge Alcala blew a 99 mph fastball past Altuve in the seventh as the Astros star reached four strikeouts for the first time in a game since 2021.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And, now that everything’s changing, what new acquisition targets might pop up at an attractive price down the line?—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Now the Mediterranean-style digs high above Malibu Canyon have popped up for sale, asking a speck under $13 million.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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