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.
And to say its fusillade of jokes is hit-and-miss would also be a charitable take.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026
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
This fusillade of explosions in quick succession produces a powerful galactic wind blowing gas out of the galaxy.
From Science Magazine • Jan. 8, 2024
A fusillade of calcium batteries and white plastic bags drifted above the landscape along with birds and the final image was a dove soaring above the desolation.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2023
The phrase volley of abuse, for example, uses the image of a fusillade of bullets to describe an outpouring of anger.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
