detonate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Commander Fox explains that mines generally fall into two categories: contact mines, which detonate when struck, and influence mines, which explode when sensors detect changes in sound, pressure or magnetism.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Molniyas can either detonate their own payload or carry two or three small FPVs, extending their range.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

Proximity fuses are designed to detonate in the air when they are a certain distance from a target, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

Because of their small size, the rats are not heavy enough to detonate the mines.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

Large numbers of the shells fired were duds; they failed to detonate.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman