What does "fulminate" mean?
Any salt or ester of fulminic acid, mostly explosive.
Fulminate
/ˈfʌlmɪneɪt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any salt or ester of fulminic acid, mostly explosive.
- Grammar: fulminate is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: alcohol, backfire, bang, bark.
- Useful contrasts: approve, calm, commend.
- Usage evidence: In his books, he would often fulminate against the government and its policies.
How to use "fulminate"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "fulminate" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "fulminate" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "fulminate" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "fulminate" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "fulminate" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "alcohol" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "fulminate", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any salt or ester of fulminic acid, mostly explosive.
"On 19 February a jubilant Bigeard announced that his 3rd R.P.C. had seized eighty-seven bombs, seventy kilos of explosive, 5,120 fulminate of mercury detonators, 309 electric detonators, etc."
- 2 a salt or ester of fulminic acid wordnet
Verb
- 1 To make a verbal attack. figuratively, intransitive
"In short, the criticism which the great lexicographer fulminated against an unfortunate author, seems to have been adopted by the profession as applicable to everything under the sun […]"
- 2 cause to explode violently and with loud noise wordnet
- 3 To issue as a denunciation. figuratively, transitive
"They fulminated the most hostile of all decrees."
- 4 come on suddenly and intensely wordnet
- 5 To thunder or make a loud noise. intransitive
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 criticize severely wordnet
- 7 To strike with lightning; to cause to explode. archaic, transitive
"the present owners couldn't afford the electric bills anymore, several amateur gaffers, sad to say, having already been fulminated trying to bootleg power in off the municipal lines."
- 8 to act as lightning, appearing quickly and destructively figuratively
Example
"In his books, he would often fulminate against the government and its policies."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "fulminate"?
Common synonyms include: alcohol, backfire, bang, bark, blast, blow out.
How do you use "fulminate" in a sentence?
In his books, he would often fulminate against the government and its policies.
How do you pronounce "fulminate"?
Pronounced /ˈfʌlmɪneɪt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Inherited from Middle English fulminaten, borrowed from Latin fulminātus, perfect passive participle of fulminō (“to lighten, hurl or strike with lightning”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from fulmen (“lightning which strikes and sets on fire, thunderbolt”), from earlier *fulgmen, *fulgimen, from fulgeō, fulgō (“flash, lighten”). Doublet of fulmine. More at fulgent.
Etymology 2
From fulminic acid + -ate (“salt or ester”).