Meaning & use
detonated
Last updated
Exploded, or caused something to explode, usually suddenly and violently.
See it in a sentence
The bomb squad safely detonated the device in a controlled explosion.
Tensions detonated into open conflict after the border incident.
A note on using this word
From Latin "detonare," "to thunder down," used literally for explosives and figuratively for sudden outbursts of conflict or emotion.
Words with a similar meaning
explodedblew up
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Words with an opposite meaning
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