Word
detonate
Phoneticsdet·o·nate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛtəˌneɪt/
UK/dˈɛtənˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to explode
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
v. to explode suddenly and with great force.
v. to explode or ignite with sudden violence. Used intransitively when the subject is the explosive itself.
Español:detonarse
“The old bomb detonated unexpectedly while the workers were digging.”
“The unstable chemical compound detonated the moment it was exposed to direct sunlight, shattering the reinforced glass of the laboratory container.”
02to react with anger
C2 · Proficiency Literary
v. to suddenly become very angry and start shouting.
v. to react with a sudden, violent outburst of emotion or anger. Figurative and intransitive use.
Español:detonarse
“The manager detonated when he saw the mistakes in the final report.”
“After weeks of suppressed frustration, he finally detonated during the board meeting, accusing his colleagues of gross negligence.”
Real-World Examples
“The issue with wrecks loaded with munitions is that detonating them underwater can, in certain cases, disperse the contamination and worsen the problem.” “All water mines have been removed or detonated,” Trump posted.” Etymology
First attested in 1729; either borrowed from French détoner or directly from Latin dētonātus, perfect passive participle of dētonō (“to thunder down (strongly); (figuratively, of a person) to thunder, speak threateningly, to rage; to stop thundering”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from dē- (“off, from”) + tonō (“to thunder”)). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tenh₂-. The current interlingual meaning seems to be a new formation in postclassical times (to thunder → make a large noise → explode), compare explode.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/detonate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0