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
Law enforcement arrested Philippi on site at the plant in possession of the powered up drone moments before the explosive devices were set to detonate, according to court documents.
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Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
So for instance, one character would have to apply the Overwhelmed debuff on an enemy as a primer in order to be detonated by another character that can detonate Overwhelmed enemies.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
In mid-September, Israel launched an unprecedented clandestine attack against Hezbollah — remotely detonating thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024
The group first drew global headlines in August 2021 when one of its members detonated a bomb outside the Kabul airport, killing 170 Afghans and 13 American service members.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detonate 
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
So for instance, one character would have to apply the Overwhelmed debuff on an enemy as a primer in order to be detonated by another character that can detonate Overwhelmed enemies.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
In mid-September, Israel launched an unprecedented clandestine attack against Hezbollah — remotely detonating thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies.
—Barak Ravid, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024
The group first drew global headlines in August 2021 when one of its members detonated a bomb outside the Kabul airport, killing 170 Afghans and 13 American service members.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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The Cybertruck caught fire and fully burned, but the Piedmont Police Department told KRON the vehicle's battery did not explode or burst into flames.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw two touchdowns – one apiece to Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman – and ran for another as Baltimore exploded on offense after the Chargers had raced into a 10-0 lead at SoFi Stadium.Ben Morse, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
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As flakes began flying Friday, New York state forecasters warned that 4 to 6 feet of blowing and drifting snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario through Monday.CBS News, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2024
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Despite their best intentions to eliminate noise and distractions, a laundry basket overflows in the corner, the dog is barking at the cat, and the loud sounds of neighbors blowing leaves all compete with looming deadlines.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But, much like with apps on a phone, once everyone’s giving pop-up notifications, nothing really pops anymore.Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
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Everyone who hasn’t lost their hair is popping back up.Mark Holgate, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near detonate
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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