Synonyms of detonates

detonates

verb

present tense third-person singular of detonate

as in explodes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explodes
• blows
• pops
• bursts
• shatters
• goes off
• blows up
• crumps
• smashes
• fires
• fragments
• splinters
• mushrooms
• discharges
• shoots
• balloons
• burgeons

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapses
• implodes
• fizzles

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detonates

The missile, called a PrSM—for precision-strike missile—detonates midair and spreads thousands of small tungsten fragments in all directions. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Then Chernov detonates an atomic bomb over the Black Sea as a show of force. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

If the ammunition detonates after penetration, the explosion is directed away from the crew compartment, significantly improving the crew’s chances of survival. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026

After the pass comes to Bridges, who detonates passersby at the basket regularly, White goes straight up, though with a little more oomph than usual. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive. — Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026

But once in a rare while, the frame detonates into history. — Christopher Anderson, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026

During a trip to New York, an off-camera exchange detonates the conflict. — Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

Gemma then detonates the device. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026