detonate
Set off explosives
To detonate is to explode or cause to explode, typically with sudden violence.
Bombs detonate, demolition charges detonate buildings, and triggers detonate explosives.
The word implies a rapid, forceful release of energy: The device detonated on impact.
Figuratively, situations or people can detonate—erupting suddenly: The scandal detonated his political career.
What initiates action
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- igniteStart burning something
- provokeIncite a response
- set offDepart or trigger
explode · erupt · unleash · catalyze · volatile · outburst · backlash · firestorm
Explosive device or disaster
- blastSudden forceful burst
- triggerWhat initiates action
- fuseProtective melting wire
- dynamitePowerful blasting compound
TNT · grenade · charge · ignite · blasting cap · primer · C4 · ordnance
Deliberate structural destruction
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- buildingEnclosed roofed structure
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- controlled blastIntentionally triggered, contained explosion
safety perimeter · sequenced · charges · razing · wrecking · structural · timed · engineers
Munition's explosive section
- atomicOf elemental particles
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
fusion · yield · kiloton · megaton · chain reaction · critical mass · ground zero · Hiroshima
trigger
What initiates action
set off · explode · erupt · unleash · catalyze · volatile · outburst · backlash · firestorm · reaction
bomb
Explosive device or disaster
dynamite · TNT · grenade · charge · ignite · blasting cap · primer · C4 · ordnance · munitions
demolition
Deliberate structural destruction
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- buildingEnclosed roofed structure
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
controlled blast · safety perimeter · sequenced · charges · razing · wrecking · structural · timed · engineers · clearance
warhead
Munition's explosive section
- atomicOf elemental particles
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
fission · fusion · yield · kiloton · megaton · chain reaction · critical mass · ground zero · Hiroshima · Nagasaki
missile
Self-guided airborne weapon
airstrike · bunker · target · EOD · minefield · ordnance disposal · combat · warzone · bombardment · strike
detonatefizzle
Fail after promising start
misfire · dud · malfunction · fail · sputter out
- controlled detonationIntentional explosion under supervision
- remote detonatorWireless explosive activator
- remote detonationTriggering explosives from afar
detonation, detonator, detonated, detonating, detonates, detonators, detonations