as in explosion
the act or an instance of exploding
there was a series of detonations around the base of the condemned building, causing it to come crashing down in a matter of minutes
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Recent Examples of detonation
These estimations would be heavily impacted by how high the detonation takes place.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
The attack used cluster warheads to target the Kursk-East airfield, home to Russian tactical aircraft, and likely resulted in a detonation of submunitions.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Early in the war, concerns that the invasion increased the danger of a nuclear detonation or accidental explosion focused on the risk to Ukraine’s four nuclear power plants and Russia’s threats to intentionally escalate the conflict past the nuclear threshold.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Among the victims rushed to hospital, many had eye injuries, missing fingers or gaping holes in their abdomens, Reuters witnesses saw, indicating their proximity to the devices at the time of detonation.
—Reuters, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detonation 
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
The attack used cluster warheads to target the Kursk-East airfield, home to Russian tactical aircraft, and likely resulted in a detonation of submunitions.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
Early in the war, concerns that the invasion increased the danger of a nuclear detonation or accidental explosion focused on the risk to Ukraine’s four nuclear power plants and Russia’s threats to intentionally escalate the conflict past the nuclear threshold.
—William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Among the victims rushed to hospital, many had eye injuries, missing fingers or gaping holes in their abdomens, Reuters witnesses saw, indicating their proximity to the devices at the time of detonation.
—Reuters, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detonation
Thesaurus Entries Near detonation
Cite this Entry
“Detonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonation. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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