as in exploding
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 detonating
Russia will test a new laser system designed to take out mines without detonating the explosive devices, state media reported on Thursday.
—
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Livingston is angry at Shagan for detonating the bomb without his order, but nevertheless takes advantage of the confusion over Abigail's fate to remove her from power.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonating
Verb
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At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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This upgrade requires packs to withstand thermal runaway without igniting or exploding.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the Ravens are gaining on them after blowing a 15-point lead to the Bills in the fourth quarter of the teams’ epic opener Sunday night.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thomas dove in and swam with Malibu, popping up simultaneously from the water and resting their extremities — his arms, her fins — on the edge of the pool.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Watch parties of dubious legality for this weekend’s finale are popping up at bars around America, but think how much revenue could be captured if someone was able to charge us to watch this.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonating. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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