fusillade
Americannoun
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a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms.
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a general discharge or outpouring of anything.
a fusillade of questions.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a simultaneous or rapid continual discharge of firearms
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a sudden outburst, as of criticism
verb
Etymology
Origin of fusillade
First recorded in 1795–1805; from French, equivalent to fusill(er) “to shoot” ( fusil 1 ) + -ade -ade 1
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.
Chinese officials directed a rhetorical fusillade at Ms. Takaichi, and have ratcheted up economic pressure by discouraging Chinese tourism to Japan and restricting rare-earth mineral exports.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026
An Israeli fusillade around noon Sunday and in the afternoon saw four areas in Tehran targeted, including major commercial thoroughfares, according to state media.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2025
With protesters in Lima facing a nearly daily fusillade of tear gas, more people have joined the ranks of deactivators trying to shield them and keep the demonstrations going.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 29, 2023
After a few minutes, despite their fears of another fusillade, they said, they ran to assist the victim in the lot.
From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2023
But Kathy let loose a fusillade of pungent suggestions, leaving them dumbfounded and momentarily speechless.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
