detonate
B2Formal; Technical (in explosive contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To explode or cause (something, especially an explosive device) to explode suddenly and violently.
To trigger a sudden, violent, or significant event, reaction, or change, often figuratively (e.g., a crisis, controversy, or rapid process).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive ('detonate a bomb') but can be intransitive ('the device detonated'). Often implies a deliberate, controlled, or timed initiation of an explosion, distinguishing it from accidental 'explode'. Figurative use emphasizes a sudden, impactful beginning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] detonated [Object] (transitive)[Object] detonated (intransitive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Detonate a powder keg (figurative: trigger a volatile situation)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figurative: 'The leaked report could detonate a scandal affecting shareholder confidence.'
Academic
Technical/Historical: 'The researchers studied the conditions required to detonate the compound.'
Everyday
Literal/News: 'Authorities safely detonated the suspicious package.'
Technical
Literal/Military/Engineering: 'The shaped charge is designed to detonate upon penetration.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bomb disposal expert carefully detonated the device in a controlled explosion.
- The scandalous allegations are likely to detonate a major political row.
American English
- The engineers detonated the charges to clear the rock slide from the highway.
- His comment detonated a furious debate on social media.
adverb
British English
- The charge failed to fire detonatively.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- The material reacted detonatively under pressure.
- (Rare usage)
adjective
British English
- The detonating mechanism was found to be faulty.
- They identified the detonative potential of the mixture.
American English
- The detonating cord was laid along the trench.
- A detonative shockwave followed the initial blast.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bomb did not detonate.
- Police will detonate the old bomb safely.
- Soldiers detonated the landmine from a safe distance.
- The bad news detonated like a bomb in the office.
- The terrorist was arrested before he could detonate the device.
- The new policy has detonated a fierce controversy among staff.
- Using a complex radio signal, they remotely detonated the charges precisely at midnight.
- The revelation detonated long-simmering tensions within the coalition, leading to its immediate collapse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DETONATE sounds like 'DEfinitely explONATE'. It's the deliberate ON-switch for an explosion.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAUSING AN EXPLOSION IS INITIATING A SUDDEN PROCESS (e.g., 'The news detonated a wave of protests').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'детонировать' (to detonate) which is a direct cognate and correct. The trap is overusing it for simple 'explode' ('взорваться') where English might prefer 'go off' or 'blow up' informally.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The gas tank detonated by itself.' (Better: 'exploded' unless triggered). Misuse: 'He detonated the balloon.' (Too forceful; use 'popped' or 'burst').
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, 'detonate' is most similar in meaning to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Detonate' often implies a deliberate initiation or triggering of an explosion (e.g., 'detonate a bomb'), while 'explode' is more general and can be accidental (e.g., 'the boiler exploded').
Yes, e.g., 'The device detonated at noon.' It means the device exploded.
No, it is commonly used figuratively to describe causing a sudden, strong reaction or event, e.g., 'detonate a crisis'.
The related noun is 'detonation'. The person/thing that detonates is a 'detonator'.