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Nuke - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A nuke is a nuclear weapon or the act of attacking with nuclear arms. Informally, it can mean to destroy or eliminate something completely, often used in gaming or slang.

nuke

/nuk/ /njuːk/

Definition:

A nuclear weapon or to attack with nuclear arms.

Synonyms:

atomic bomb, thermonuclear weapon, warhead

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

peace, disarmament

Common Collocations:

nuclear war, nuke test, nuke threat, nuke plant

Derivatives:

nuked, nukes, nuking

Usage Tips:

Use "nuke" informally for nuclear weapons or as a verb meaning to destroy with such weapons; avoid in formal contexts.

Common Phrases:

go nuclear, nuke it from orbit, nuclear option

Etymology:

Shortened from "nuclear," originating from Latin "nucleus" meaning kernel or core.

Examples:

  • 1. The country decided to nuke the abandoned island for testing purposes.
  • 2. She accidentally microwaved her lunch too long and totally nuked it!
  • 3. The treaty aimed to reduce the number of nukes worldwide.
  • 4. He joked about using the "nuclear option" during the debate.

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