nuclear

adjective

nu·cle·ar ˈnü-klē-ər

ˈnyü-

nonstandard -kyə-lər

Synonyms of nuclear next

: of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus

annexation of the suburban fringe by the nuclear metropolis—

W. H. Wickwar

: of or relating to the atomic nucleus

nuclear reaction

nuclear physics

: used in or produced by a nuclear reaction (such as fission)

nuclear fuel

nuclear waste

nuclear energy

c(1)

: being a weapon whose destructive power derives from an uncontrolled nuclear reaction

(2)

: of, produced by, or involving nuclear weapons

the nuclear age

nuclear war

(3)

: armed with nuclear weapons

nuclear powers

: of, relating to, or powered by nuclear energy

a nuclear submarine

the nuclear debate

a nuclear plant

How do you pronounce nuclear?: Usage Guide

Though disapproved of by many, pronunciations ending in \-kyə-lər\ have been found in widespread use among educated speakers including scientists, lawyers, professors, congressmen, U.S. cabinet members, and at least two U.S. presidents and one vice president. While most common in the U.S., these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers.

Phrases

go nuclear

informal

: to become wildly excited or upset : go berserk

To say the crowd went wild is an understatement. The crowd went nuclear. Outside the stadium, cars were overturned and fires were set. We sportswriters huddled inside, fearing for our lives.—

Tony Kornheiser

Examples of nuclear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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FirstEnergy sought either a state or a federal solution for its financially struggling nuclear plants, which were later owned by a subsidiary. —

Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024 In that vein, ballistic missiles were designed to stand sentinel over a future where nuclear arms would never again be fired in anger. —

Brad Lendon, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024 On November 19, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike, following U.S. President Joe Biden's administration allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia. —

Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 The meltdown was largely attributed to the nuclear safety failures of the Soviet Union, which Ukraine became independent of in 1991. —

Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nuclear