detonation
Bomb going off
Detonation is a violent explosion, specifically one that propagates through a material faster than the speed of sound within it.
The word applies to bombs, demolition charges, and other explosive devices: The detonation was heard miles away.
In engines, detonation refers to premature combustion that causes knocking—fuel igniting from pressure rather than from the spark plug.
Propagating pressure disturbance
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- flashBrief burst of light
- boomLoud deep sound
- concussionBrain injury from impact
pressure wave · overpressure · wavefront · debris · fragmentation · shrapnel · crater · mushroom cloud
Powerful blasting compound
- TNTPowerful blasting compound
- C4Moldable military explosive
- nitroglycerinExplosive compound, cardiac drug
- blasting capDevice initiating explosives
fuse · timer · primer · cordite · plastic explosive · ammonium nitrate · gunpowder · initiator
Loud deep sound
- thunderclapExplosive atmospheric sound
- bangSudden loud noise
- roarLoud, deep animal cry
- rumbleLow rolling sound
blast · crack · report · percussion · echo · deafening · earsplitting · thunderous
Severe widespread destruction
- obliterationTotal destruction or erasure
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
rubble · ruins · razing · collateral damage · pulverization · flattening · leveling · damage
Explosive device or disaster
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
- torpedoPropelled undersea explosive
IED · booby trap · minefield · airstrike · bombardment · bunker buster · shaped charge · claymore
shockwave
Propagating pressure disturbance
concussion · pressure wave · overpressure · wavefront · debris · fragmentation · shrapnel · crater · mushroom cloud · heat wave
dynamite
Powerful blasting compound
- TNTPowerful blasting compound
- C4Moldable military explosive
- nitroglycerinExplosive compound, cardiac drug
blasting cap · fuse · timer · primer · cordite · plastic explosive · ammonium nitrate · gunpowder · initiator · charge
boom
Loud deep sound
- thunderclapExplosive atmospheric sound
- bangSudden loud noise
- roarLoud, deep animal cry
rumble · blast · crack · report · percussion · echo · deafening · earsplitting · thunderous · sonic boom
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- obliterationTotal destruction or erasure
- demolitionDeliberate structural destruction
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
wreckage · rubble · ruins · razing · collateral damage · pulverization · flattening · leveling · damage · carnage
bomb
Explosive device or disaster
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
torpedo · IED · booby trap · minefield · airstrike · bombardment · bunker buster · shaped charge · claymore · howitzer
- Mining Hazardscave-in, collapse, methane, rockfall, mine fire
- Nuclear Testsnuclear test, underground test, atmospheric test, weapons test, Trinity test
- ballisticsballistics, bullet, bullet drop, cartridge, trajectory
- blastingblast, blasting, explosives, dynamite, TNT
- demolitiondemolish, raze, bulldoze, controlled demolition, wreck
- physical phenomenadiffusion, collision, friction, surface tension, implosion
detonationimplosion
Violent collapse inward
collapse · compression · contraction · cave-in · suction
detonationslow burn
Gradual buildup of rage
smolder · smoldering · controlled burn · fizzle · ember
detonationsilence
Total lack of sound
stillness · quiet · hush · soundlessness · muffled sound
- controlled detonationIntentional explosion under supervision
- remote detonationTriggering explosives from afar