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Definitions

detonate

[det-n-ayt] / ˈdɛt nˌeɪt /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Their explosive payloads did not detonate, and it’s entirely possible they were never meant to.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

Alternatively, specially-equipped vessels, drones or aircraft mimic the magnetic fields, pressure or noise created by a passing ship to detonate the mines before they can do any harm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

An attempt to detonate or diffuse the bomb failed, so Officer Brian Murray and three others were lowered into the crater.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

Still, he says he was happy to detonate his cool, unflappable persona in the latest comedy from “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Role Models” filmmaker David Wain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

My water powers would protect us both, and we’d detonate the charges from a quarter mile away.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

It detonates just as they get close, apparently shocking even Berezovska with its force.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

But every year, as wrapping paper detonates across the living room and a small mountain of objects emerges—some beloved, some baffling—I have the same unseasonal thought: This is wildly inefficient.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025

In these events, an incoming object such as a comet detonates above the ground, releasing intense heat and shockwaves that reach Earth's surface.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 19, 2025

He detonates narrative warfare wherever he goes, so it’s difficult to decipher what is planted to create spectacle to feed the mangy cult and what is a true trash fire of a human.

From Salon ● Mar. 12, 2024

Halftime Right after you glance at April waving from the bleachers, your stomach detonates: KABOOM! and you lose it right there behind the bench in Pernell’s gym bag.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander

When munitions are detonated underwater, the blast can spread contaminants through the surrounding environment.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

The defense ministry said no military weapons had been detonated.

From Barron's ● Sep. 5, 2026

Questions about safety, data provenance, copyright and geopolitical risk arrived only after the model had already detonated across the market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Instead, the round detonated prematurely at 453 meters, or about 1,486 feet, in the air, around 3,300 feet from its firing location, according to the report.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026

She felt the pressure as the arrow detonated . .. but it wasn’t what she expected.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Junior transport minister, Kier Mather said removing the masts had reduced the risk of them toppling on to and detonating the bombs.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

"It depends on the area where the wreck and munitions lie. Currents and seabed morphology play a major role. In some cases, detonating them can do more harm than good," she explains.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

The drone, designed by Perennial Autonomy, a company backed by former Google CEO and billionaire Eric Schmidt using Ukrainian engineers, destroys other drones by detonating close by and has proven popular in Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

If your goal is to save money on taxes, detonating the tax torpedo is not ideal.

From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026

It intercepted the cannonball midair, detonating a massive fireball.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan


Vocabulary lists containing detonate

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