detonate

verb

det·​o·​nate ˈde-tᵊn-ˌāt How to pronounce detonate (audio)
ˈde-tə-ˌnāt
detonated; detonating
Synonyms of detonatenext

intransitive verb

: to explode with sudden violence

transitive verb

1
: to cause to detonate
detonate a bomb
compare deflagrate
2
: to set off in a burst of activity : spark
programs that detonated controversies
detonatable
ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tə-bəl How to pronounce detonate (audio)
ˈde-tə-ˌnā-
adjective
detonative
ˈde-tᵊn-ˌā-tiv How to pronounce detonate (audio)
ˈde-tə-ˌnā-
adjective

Synonyms of detonate

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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
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.
It was detonated by remote control from an offshore yacht following a signal by one of the men watching the site. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 July 2026 Flag football detonated at a crucial time for the NFL and the sport in general. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 2 July 2026 The devices did not detonate before police discovered them the following day. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2026 With this in mind, NATO ran an exercise in June imagining drones detonating as a ship enters the port. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detonate

Word History

Etymology

French détoner to explode, from Latin detonare to expend thunder, from de- + tonare to thunder — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of detonate was in 1729

Rhymes for detonate

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Browse Nearby Words

detonatable
detonate
detonation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detonate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

detonate

verb
det·​o·​nate ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌāt How to pronounce detonate (audio)
ˈdet-ə-ˌnāt
detonated; detonating
: to explode or cause to explode with sudden violence
detonation
ˌdet-ᵊn-ˈā-shən, 
ˌdet-ə-ˈnā-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on detonate

Nglish: Translation of detonate for Spanish Speakers

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