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
In the 1910s, bombs detonated with regularity at nonunion construction sites — bridges, viaducts, rail yards, foundries, derricks — and proved an effective tactic in winning union contracts.
—
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024
Clashes between the two groups lasted for three hours, with several people suffering injuries as fireworks were detonated, pepper spray was blasted and punches flew.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 May 2024
The explosive partially detonated and caused minor fire damage to the exterior of the building, according to the document.
—Rob Frehse, CNN, 14 June 2024
At the last second, Shikishima arrives, flies into Godzilla's mouth, and detonates his plane full of bombs.
—EW.com, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detonate 
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024
Clashes between the two groups lasted for three hours, with several people suffering injuries as fireworks were detonated, pepper spray was blasted and punches flew.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 May 2024
The explosive partially detonated and caused minor fire damage to the exterior of the building, according to the document.
—Rob Frehse, CNN, 14 June 2024
At the last second, Shikishima arrives, flies into Godzilla's mouth, and detonates his plane full of bombs.
—EW.com, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for detonate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detonate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near detonate
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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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