detonating
Triggering an explosion
Detonating is the present participle of detonate—to explode or cause to explode with sudden, violent force.
Bombs detonate.
Demolition crews detonate old buildings.
Figuratively, something that detonates erupts suddenly: The scandal detonated across social media.
The word implies a triggered explosion rather than gradual combustion.
Sudden forceful burst
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- fuseProtective melting wire
- triggerWhat initiates action
- bombExplosive device or disaster
dynamite · TNT · charge · primer · blasting cap · munitions · ordnance · warhead
Causing to activate
- sparkingEmitting small flames
- ignitingCausing to burn
- explodingBursting outward violently
- eruptingViolently expelling material
unleashing · catalyzing · provoking · inciting · setting off · outburst · controversy · scandal
blast
Sudden forceful burst
bomb · dynamite · TNT · charge · primer · blasting cap · munitions · ordnance · warhead · grenade
triggering
Causing to activate
erupting · unleashing · catalyzing · provoking · inciting · setting off · outburst · controversy · scandal · uproar
implosion
Violent collapse inward
collapse · controlled · timed · sequence · rubble · clearance · structure · high-rise · stadium · bridge
ordnance
Military weapons collectively
shell · missile · torpedo · bunker buster · strike · combat · warfare · EOD · disposal · neutralizing
detonatingdefusing
Neutralizing an explosive device
disarming · neutralizing · deactivating · disabling · stabilizing
detonatingpreventing
Stopping before occurrence
stopping · halting · averting · aborting · suppressing
detonatingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
protecting · safeguarding · imploding · containing · suppressing
- controlled detonationIntentional explosion under supervision
- remote detonationTriggering explosives from afar