fulminate

American  

[fuhl-muh-neyt] / ˈfʌl məˌneɪt /

verb (used without object)

fulminated, fulminating

1. to explode with a loud noise; detonate.

2. to issue denunciations or the like (usually followed byagainst ).

   The minister fulminated against legalized vice.

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verb (used with object)

fulminated, fulminating

1. to cause to explode.

2. to issue or pronounce with vehement denunciation, condemnation, or the like.

noun

1. one of a group of unstable, explosive compounds derived from fulminic acid, especially the mercury salt of fulminic acid, which is a powerful detonating agent.

fulminate British  

/ ˈfʌlmɪˌneɪt, ˈfʊl- /

verb

1. to make criticisms or denunciations; rail

2. to explode with noise and violence

3. archaic (intr) to thunder and lighten

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noun

1. any salt or ester of fulminic acid, esp the mercury salt, which is used as a detonator

Other Word Forms

• fulmination noun
• fulminator noun
• fulminatory adjective
• nonfulminating adjective
• unfulminated adjective
• unfulminating adjective

Etymology

Origin of fulminate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English fulminaten < Latin fulminātus, past participle of fulmināre “to hurl thunderbolts, thunder,” equivalent to fulmin-, stem of fulmen “thunderbolt, lightning” + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Lanthimos isn’t the type to thunder and fulminate and declare his themes, and the film doesn’t really align with any particular political outlook.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

He can fulminate for all eight days into the giant void that once held your interest in what he has to say.

From Washington Post • May 2, 2023

“Amy would fulminate and care deeply about issues,” said one former mayoral aide.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2021

He took to local media to fulminate about overcrowding.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2018

He still continued occasionally to lecture at Wittenberg and to fulminate against Luther’s policy of compromise.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various