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

"We move carefully and extremely slowly so that the mine does not detonate," Vitalii says, describing the painstakingly slow process of demining.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

With a range of 3 miles, the Nimbrix missile has a warhead that can detonate in the air to target swarms of drones at a relatively low cost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

One of my cousins who lives in Dahiyeh had disconnected the solar-powered lithium batteries that provided electricity to his apartment for fear that they could detonate.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2024

“The Sixers must have bought it when it went up for auction a few years ago. And they’ve been sitting on it all this time, waiting for the perfect moment to detonate it.”

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline