detonate
verb (used without object)
to explode with suddenness and violence.
detonating
-
present participleof detonate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
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
