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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

"Pulling real users into generated photos without explicit consent is a privacy landmine waiting to detonate," one user wrote on X, external.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 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

It felt like he might detonate at any moment.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

When roughly a mile from its target, it uses artificial intelligence to lock onto the target and detonates nearby, according to its users.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

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

No one detonates a room with honesty and irritation quite like Bill Burr, and his latest, “Drop Dead Years,” shows the comedian in his fully evolved form.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025

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

Blasts, initially thought to be exploding gas cylinders, may have been World War Two explosives detonated by the heat of the fires, the local fire commander told local media.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Video footage on social media showed large secondary explosions, suggesting stored ammunition was detonated.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

Why there was a garden hose on the roof, Frank wasn’t sure, but every time the giants sent up a cannonball, Percy summoned a high-powered blast of water and detonated the sphere in midair.

From "The Son of Neptune" 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

No feminine wiles to fall back on—I stepped into the whitewashed stone room with my heart going berserk against my ribs like a detonating engine.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein


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