Detonate
Detonate verb - To break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure.
Usage example: the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions
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Synonyms for Detonate
Explode is a synonym for detonate in set off topic. In some cases you can use "Explode" instead a verb "Detonate", when it comes to topics like explosion, blow up, set off bomb. popular alternative
Explode
Explode verb - To break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure.
Usage example: the building was wrecked when a powerful bomb exploded
Detonate is a synonym for explode in blow up topic. You can use "Detonate" instead a verb "Explode", if it concerns topics such as explosion. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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While most of them show no signs of conflict, Cherry Bomb argues briefly with itself over whether to explode or detonate.
Source: Multiple Head Case -
Parodied by this animated gif, where a hacker manages to blackout a city, blow up a building, detonate a nuclear payload and explode a watermelon simply by typing on a laptop.
Source: Everything Is Online -
Part 4 has quite a lot of examples, but special mention must go to the Big Bad, which already has a Stand that can make anything it touches into an explosion trigger that will detonate anybody who touches the Stand-touched object (the person touching will explode and not the object).
Source: Superpower Lottery
Cite this Source
Explode and Detonate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/detonate/explode
Detonate & Explode. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/detonate/explode>.
Explode or Detonate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/detonate/explode.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "detonate" and "explode" have occurred on timeline