detonate

[det-n-eyt]

verb (used without object)

detonated, detonating 

1. to explode with suddenness and violence.

verb (used with object)

detonated, detonating 

1. to cause (something explosive) to explode.

detonate

/ ˈdɛtəˌneɪt /

verb

1. to cause (a bomb, mine, etc) to explode or (of a bomb, mine, etc) to explode; set off or be set off

Other Word Forms

• detonable adjective
• detonatable adjective
• detonability noun
• detonatability noun
• nondetonating adjective
• undetonated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of detonate¹

1720–30; < Latin dētonātus thundered forth (past participle of dētonāre ), equivalent to dē- de- + ton ( āre ) to thunder + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of detonate¹

C18: from Latin dētonāre to thunder down, from _de- + tonāre to _thunder

Example Sentences

The SBU claims Russian handlers have deliberately detonated devices remotely, knowing their agents would be killed.

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It supplied extensive real-time target lists in Tehran and supplied the Lebanese militia Hezbollah with doctored pagers that it then remotely detonated.

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Although the explosive device detonated inside the building, none of the 200 or so residents was injured.

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The IED ignited, and after a couple minutes of burning, it detonated, causing some damage to the unoccupied building.

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He added that the attacker detonated the bomb close to a police car after waiting for up to 15 minutes.

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Related Words

• blast 
• blow up 
• burst 
• explode