detonar

[dɛ.to.ˈnaɾ]

verb

to detonate

1. to cause an explosion by setting off a detonator or explosive device

The bomb squad detonated the explosive device safely.

A equipe de desativação detonou o artefato explosivo com segurança.

2. to explode or burst suddenly

The fireworks detonated in the night sky.

Os fogos de artifício detonaram no céu noturno.

3. (figurative) to trigger or cause something to happen suddenly

His comments detonated a heated argument.

Seus comentários detonaram uma discussão acalorada.

4. (slang, Brazilian) to perform poorly or fail badly

He detonated the exam.

Ele detonou na prova.

NYC Slang

blow up, bomb (in the sense of fail)

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

detonar

Standard usage for explosion; also used colloquially to mean 'to fail' or 'to mess up'

Rio de Janeiro

detonar

Common in both literal and slang contexts

São Paulo

detonar

Standard usage, popular in slang among young people

Portugal

detonar

Less common colloquially; 'explodir' is preferred

detonar uma bomba

detonar um conflito

detonar na prova (to fail an exam)

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