detonate

American  

[det-n-eyt] / ˈdɛt nˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

detonated, detonating

1. to explode with suddenness and violence.

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verb (used with object)

detonated, detonating

1. to cause (something explosive) to explode.

detonate British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of detonate

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

Example Sentences

Alternatively, specialized ships 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 • Mar. 17, 2026

If “One of Us” is an entertaining family saga of privilege and comeuppance, it is also a consummate novel of suspense in which revelations detonate with lethal accuracy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Commander Fox explains that mines generally fall into two categories: contact mines, which detonate when struck, and influence mines, which explode when sensors detect changes in sound, pressure or magnetism.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

The military said that only the booster was activated, not the engine that takes over after launch, and not the warhead, so the missile could not travel far and the warhead could not detonate.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Peeta sets his back on the table with such precision you’d think it might detonate.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• blast
• blow up
• burst
• explode