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
Those scenes where the men are detonating the explosives and people are crying — were those real tears?
—
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel in the truck's bed are believed to have been detonated using a device operated by the driver.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Dive towards the ground, dealing damage to enemies and detonating any Flame Fields hit.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, an explosive device that did not detonate was discovered on a fourth bus, police said.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Fireworks, gas tanks and camping fuel in the truck's bed are believed to have been detonated using a device operated by the driver.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Dive towards the ground, dealing damage to enemies and detonating any Flame Fields hit.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, an explosive device that did not detonate was discovered on a fourth bus, police said.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Even today, gangsta and drill rappers make headlines right here in Chicago when their music explodes into rivalries and retaliatory murders.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
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SpaceX's Starship spacecraft, which exploded just minutes into its flight on Thursday, was uncrewed, and no injuries have been reported.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By dumping more toxic substances into the landfills, there’s a higher chance of chemicals leaking into groundwater or becoming part of airborne dust blowing into nearby communities.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
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Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One of the biggest annual Central Florida arts traditions, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, pops up for its 66th year along Park Avenue this weekend.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
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The rest of their flowers pop up throughout the remainder of the month in a naturally staggered pattern, thanks to a mix of varieties with different bloom times.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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