DETONATE Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

detonate

verb

ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt

Definition of detonate

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of detonate Trump in a Truth Social post said the United States' naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect and that mines in the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 His Season 2 appearance was intended as a one-off, but the cartel member turned DEA informant turned severed head rigged to detonate atop a tortoise proved to be a massive hit with viewers, prompting a flashback return the following season. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The older Green Lantern taunted the alien so much, that the creature detonated itself, blowing a hole into the side of the jail. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026 The first drone seemingly detonated after crashing onto the gas tanks of La Negra Francisca, the crew recounted, while the second appears to have dropped an explosive. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detonate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate

Verb

That explodes into action in one startlingly seedy scene involving a rape in full view of revelers at a hotel party.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
That was the moment a suicide bomb exploded just outside Abbey Gate on August 26th, killing 13 American service members and more than 160 Afghan civilians.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of explode

Verb

It’s been a decade since the company best known for sucking up hair balls and dust bunnies blew with great force into the beauty business.

— Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
The Las Vegas spectacle, which opened to the public in August 2025, already blows audiences around with tornado-force wind, shakes them with haptic seats, sends giant winged monkeys flying overhead and drops hundreds of foam apples from the ceiling.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blow

Verb

With automatic runner Jase Bowen on second base, Jake Cronenworth popped up a bunt, Bowen was thrown out trying to steal third and Machado struck out looking.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
As the video popped up on social media and the Spanish-language Facebook group Danbury Al Dia, Hernandez grew uneasy.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of pop

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dethroning

detonate

detonated

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“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of detonate

verb

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