View synonyms for fulminate

fulminate

[ fuhl-muh-neyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, ful·mi·nat·ed, ful·mi·nat·ing.

to explode with a loud noise; detonate.
to issue denunciations or the like (usually followed by against ):
The minister fulminated against legalized vice.

verb (used with object)

, ful·mi·nat·ed, ful·mi·nat·ing.

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

noun

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

/ ˈfʌlmɪˌneɪt; ˈfʊl- /

verb

introften foll byagainst to make criticisms or denunciations; rail
to explode with noise and violence
archaic.
intr to thunder and lighten

noun

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

Discover More

Derived Forms

ˈfulmiˌnatory, adjective
ˌfulmiˈnation, noun
ˈfulmiˌnator, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

fulmi·nator noun
ful·mi·na·to·ry [fuhl, -m, uh, -n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
non·fulmi·nating adjective
un·fulmi·nated adjective
un·fulmi·nating adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulminate¹

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

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulminate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin fulmināre ; see fulminant

Discover More

Example Sentences

The gun nuts—and obviously, not all gun owners are nuts, not even a majority—fulminate endlessly about their rights.

From The Daily Beast

With Osama bin Laden inconveniently dead, the party out of power needs someone to fulminate against.

From The Daily Beast

This flare was communicated to the percussion cap, or fulminate of mercury, at the base of the cartridge.

From Project Gutenberg

Mercury fulminate is more often employed in the detonator, and is prepared from mercury, alcohol, and nitric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

The most tremendous explosives refuse to explode unless some detonator like fulminate of mercury is set off first.

From Project Gutenberg

Digest copper (in powder or filings) with fulminate of mercury or of silver, and a little water.

From Project Gutenberg

It greatly resembles fulminate of silver in its appearance and general properties.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

fulminant fulminating compound

Browse