detonate (C1)
verb
Pronunciation: /ˈdɛtəneɪt/
Definition
Explode or cause to explode suddenly and violently.
Examples
The demolition crew prepared to detonate the old bridge at dawn.
If the pressure rises too high, the gas tank could detonate.
Experts were called in to detonate the unexploded ordnance discovered on the beach.
How to Use detonate
- detonate something (collocation)
- To cause a specific object to explode. — "They had to detonate the device remotely."
- be detonated by (collocation)
- Passive construction for controlled explosions. — "The charges were detonated by a timer."
Synonyms of detonate
Words with a similar meaning to detonate:
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