Skip to main content
bomb

bomb

1.8
A container with explosive material that makes a large explosion and damages things
  • noun
  • /bɑm/
translation icon : bomba
  • The movie featured an intense scene where the hero had to defuse a bomb before it exploded.
  • atomic bomb
  • nuclear bomb
  • drop bombs

So she's a survivor of the Nagasaki bomb, right?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • At 11:20 this morning, a car bomb exploded in the Piazza del Risorgimento.

  • The decision by the Truman administration to drop the bombs illustrates self-interest going astray.

    Academic text (2017)
  • And there is a nuclear bomb in Times Square, right?

  • The bomb squad got a call.

  • Imagine multiple nuclear bombs going off in different places.

  • Suddenly came the noise of the bombs falling, and Ben knew they were close!

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You have four minutes before the bomb activates.

  • Dogs can detect not only drugs and bombs but also evidence of some medical conditions like lung cancer.

    Academic text (2017)
  • And while I was still there, I could hear the bombs going off in Rafa.

  • Juanita and Amy knew that nuclear fission was used in bombs and in the production of electricity.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

grenade
vsbomb
170 4.4

A small bomb you throw to explode and damage an area

is a container that detonates to cause destruction at various sizes and uses
atomic bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
66 2.3

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to make a huge explosion and destroy large areas

is a container that explodes by chemical detonation rather than nuclear fission
explosive device
vsbomb
  • Specialized
40 4.1

An object made to burst violently and cause damage

is a container filled with explosive material designed to detonate and destroy
car bomb
vsbomb
  • Offensive
39 5.0

An explosive hidden inside a car that can be set off by remote control or a timer

is a container that explodes at its location rather than being specifically vehicle-mounted
A-bomb
vsbomb
32 3.0

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to release huge energy

is a device using conventional explosives rather than nuclear chain reactions to destroy
pipe bomb
vsbomb
  • Offensive
29 5.9

A thing made inside a metal pipe that explodes to hurt people or damage things

is a constructed container that detonates but not necessarily inside a metal tube
atom bomb
vsbomb
16 3.0

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to cause a huge explosion

is a container that explodes using chemical energy rather than nuclear processes
dirty bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
10 7.7

A weapon that explodes and spreads radioactive material to contaminate an area, not a nuclear bomb

is a container that detonates to cause physical destruction rather than contamination
cluster bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
8 6.7

A weapon that holds many small explosives which spread out and explode over a wide area

is a single container made to explode as one unit rather than disperse many
stink bomb
vsbomb
7 3.6

A small thing that makes a very bad smell when you open it

is a container that explodes to cause destructive damage rather than emit odors
improvised explosive device
vsbomb
  • Offensive
7 5.6

A bomb made from everyday things used in attacks

is a purpose-built container meant to detonate under planned conditions not using parts
firebomb
vsbomb
  • Offensive
7 6.6

A bomb that starts fires, often used against buildings or fuel

is a container made to detonate and cause blast damage rather than primarily burn
incendiary device
vsbomb
  • Specialized
6 7.3

A weapon made to start fires using chemicals

is a container that explodes to cause physical damage not mainly by burning
smoke bomb
vsbomb
4 3.7

A small object that makes a thick cloud of smoke to hide people or mark a place

is a container that detonates to cause damage rather than to obscure or mark
gas bomb
vsbomb
  • Offensive
2 4.6

A bomb that releases toxic gas when it explodes

is a container that detonates causing physical damage rather than spreading toxic gas
bomblet
vsbomb
  • Specialized
1 9.7

A small explosive device released from a larger weapon that spreads out over an area

is a larger container that detonates as a unit rather than many small pieces
chemical bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
1 5.8

A weapon that releases toxic chemicals when it explodes to kill or harm people

is a container that explodes to cause physical destruction rather than chemical dispersal
petrol bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
1 7.1

A bottle filled with petrol and a burning rag, thrown to start a fire

is a container that detonates to cause blast or fragmentation rather than just burning
letter bomb
vsbomb
  • Offensive
1 7.8

A small bomb hidden in an envelope that explodes when opened

is a container that detonates without being designed as disguised correspondence
incendiary
vsbomb
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A device made to start fires in buildings or fuel stores

is a container that detonates to cause damage not mainly to start fires
incendiary bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A bomb that starts fires to burn buildings or fuel

is a container that detonates for explosive destruction rather than being fire-focused
package bomb
vsbomb
  • Offensive
1 5.6

A hidden device that explodes when someone opens a box or envelope

is a container meant to explode but not specifically concealed within mailed goods
fuel-air bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A bomb that spreads fuel into the air and then explodes to make a very large blast

is a container that explodes by its internal charge rather than by fuel dispersion
balloon bomb
vsbomb
  • Archaic
1 7.9

An explosive that a balloon carries to travel far and explode

is a container that detonates locally rather than being transported airborne by balloon
general-purpose bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
4.4

A large explosive object that makes a strong blast and many flying pieces

is a general explosive container that causes damage without one specific effect
fragmentation bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
8.1

A weapon that explodes and sends metal pieces at high speed to hurt people and damage things nearby

is a container that explodes to cause general damage rather than focusing on fragments
bombie
vsbomb
  • Jargon
9.9

A small unexploded bomb left behind after being dropped

is a container meant to detonate on purpose rather than remain unexploded
plastic bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
5.1

An explosive device made from plastic explosives that can be shaped to fit small spaces

is a general container filled with explosive material not specifically molded explosives
penetration bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
7.6

A strong bomb that goes through hard targets before it explodes

is a container that detonates to cause surface damage rather than aim to penetrate
thermobaric bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
9.9

A bomb that spreads fuel and ignites to make a very hot, powerful blast

is a container that explodes to cause damage not by fuel-air dispersal and ignition
volume-detonation bomb
vsbomb
  • Specialized
9.8

A bomb that spreads fuel into the air and then sets it on fire to make a very large explosion

is a sealed container that explodes by internal charge rather than midair fuel dispersal
vacuum bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
8.2

A weapon that spreads fuel into the air and then sets it on fire, causing a very large blast

is a container that detonates to cause damage without creating vacuum-driven blast effects
briefcase bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
7.6

An explosive hidden in a briefcase that can be made to explode later

is a container designed to explode but not necessarily concealed inside personal luggage
parcel bomb
vsbomb
  • NSFW
5.9

An explosive hidden inside a package or envelope that explodes when opened

is a container that detonates without being disguised as ordinary mail
stench bomb
vsbomb
7.5

A small device that makes a very bad smell to drive people away

is a container that detonates to destroy rather than to produce bad smells

Antonyms

21 4.8

Make a bomb safe by removing its trigger

Idioms

to be a bomb
  • Slang
5 8.6

Fail completely so people see it does not work

To tell people shocking news suddenly

9.7

To use the F-word to shock people

to drop the f-bomb
  • Offensive
9.9

Say the rude word 'fuck', often in a situation where it surprises or offends people

Compounds

atomic bomb
  • Specialized
66 2.3

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to make a huge explosion and destroy large areas

car bomb
  • Offensive
39 5.0

An explosive hidden inside a car that can be set off by remote control or a timer

32 3.0

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to release huge energy

pipe bomb
  • Offensive
29 5.9

A thing made inside a metal pipe that explodes to hurt people or damage things

28 3.4

A strong place often underground where people stay to be safe from bombs

26 4.6

A problem that will become dangerous in the future if not fixed

16 3.0

A very powerful weapon that splits atoms to cause a huge explosion

dirty bomb
  • NSFW
10 7.7

A weapon that explodes and spreads radioactive material to contaminate an area, not a nuclear bomb

9 2.5

A sudden explosion from a bomb

cluster bomb
  • Specialized
8 6.7

A weapon that holds many small explosives which spread out and explode over a wide area

hydrogen bomb
  • Specialized
8 4.9

A very powerful nuclear bomb that makes a huge explosion by joining hydrogen atoms

7 3.6

A small thing that makes a very bad smell when you open it

smart bomb
  • Specialized
7 4.0

A bomb that can be guided to hit a specific target

5 7.5

A small red firework that makes a very loud bang and can hurt people

5 4.5

An area in a town destroyed or badly damaged by bombs

4 3.7

A small object that makes a thick cloud of smoke to hide people or mark a place

ticking bomb
  • Informal
3 5.2

A situation likely to become dangerous soon if people do not fix it

laser-guided bomb
  • Specialized
3 4.1

A bomb that follows laser light to hit a target accurately

H-bomb
  • NSFW
3 4.0

A very powerful nuclear weapon that explodes by joining hydrogen atoms

neutron bomb
  • Specialized
2 7.0

A weapon that kills people mainly with radiation but leaves buildings mostly standing

gas bomb
  • Offensive
2 4.6

A bomb that releases toxic gas when it explodes

1 5.8

A weapon that releases toxic chemicals when it explodes to kill or harm people

letter bomb
  • Offensive
1 7.8

A small bomb hidden in an envelope that explodes when opened

1 7.1

A bottle filled with petrol and a burning rag, thrown to start a fire

1 3.4

A bomb set to explode at a fixed time

megaton bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A very powerful nuclear bomb equal to one million tons of TNT

fusion bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A weapon that makes a very large explosion by joining light atoms like hydrogen

sex bomb
  • NSFW
1 7.4

A person, often a woman, who many people find very sexually attractive

buzz bomb
  • Archaic
1 9.4

A small jet-powered flying bomb used by Germany in World War II to attack cities

1 7.4

A simple weapon that uses a bottle of gasoline and a cloth wick to start fires

incendiary bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A bomb that starts fires to burn buildings or fuel

package bomb
  • Offensive
1 5.6

A hidden device that explodes when someone opens a box or envelope

shoe bomb
  • Offensive
1 7.9

An explosive hidden inside a shoe that someone can make explode secretly

bomb rack
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A metal frame on an aircraft that holds and drops bombs in flight

dumb bomb
  • Specialized
1 5.1

An explosive dropped from a plane that falls by gravity without guidance

1 7.0

A bomb that sends out many small metal pieces to injure or kill people

balloon bomb
  • Archaic
1 7.9

An explosive that a balloon carries to travel far and explode

fission bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A bomb that releases a huge amount of energy by splitting heavy atoms like uranium or plutonium

flying bomb
  • Archaic
1 7.9

A small flying machine with wings that carries a bomb to a target

fuel-air bomb
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A bomb that spreads fuel into the air and then explodes to make a very large blast

gravity bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A bomb dropped from a plane that falls to a target without guidance

1 5.6

A bomb you can make explode from far away using a small device you hold

plutonium bomb
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A very powerful bomb that uses plutonium to make a huge nuclear explosion

sugar bomb
  • Informal
1 3.6

A food or drink that has a lot of sugar and tastes very sweet

thermonuclear bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A very powerful weapon that makes a huge explosion by joining tiny hydrogen atoms at extreme heat

bomb calorimeter
  • Specialized
8.1

A strong closed container that measures heat from burning things in a lab

7.6

An explosive hidden in a briefcase that can be made to explode later

calorie bomb
  • Informal
4.2

A food that has a lot of calories and is often unhealthy

clean bomb
  • Archaic
6.1

A nuclear bomb that produces very little radioactive fallout

depth bomb
  • Archaic
8.1

A weapon that explodes underwater at a set depth to attack submarines

E-bomb
  • Specialized
9.9

A weapon that explodes in the air to stop electronic devices from working

A container under pressure that sprays a fine mist of liquid or gas when opened

8.2

A weapon that sprays flammable liquid into the air then sets it on fire to make a large explosion

An explosive that sends many small fast pieces to hurt people

atomic F-bomb
  • Offensive
8.5

A very strong use of the F-word that shocks people

fragmentation bomb
  • Specialized
8.1

A weapon that explodes and sends metal pieces at high speed to hurt people and damage things nearby

logic bomb
  • Specialized
7.9

Hidden code in a program that does harm when triggered

megaton bomb
  • Literature
4.9

A very shocking event or announcement that causes big change

8.8

A weapon that explodes in the air to stop electronic devices from working without hurting people or buildings

general-purpose bomb
  • Specialized
4.4

A large explosive object that makes a strong blast and many flying pieces

GP bomb
  • NSFW
6.0

A heavy weapon dropped from a plane to destroy buildings and hurt people

Guided Bomb Unit-28
  • Specialized
9.4

A heavy laser-guided bomb weighing 5,000 pounds that goes deep into bunkers to destroy them

robot bomb
  • Specialized
7.8

A missile with wings and a jet engine that carries explosives to a target without a person on board

5.9

An explosive hidden inside a package or envelope that explodes when opened

penetration bomb
  • Specialized
7.6

A strong bomb that goes through hard targets before it explodes

5.1

An explosive device made from plastic explosives that can be shaped to fit small spaces

9.8

A small underwater explosive fishermen use to scare seals from fishing areas

9.9

A bomb that spreads fuel and ignites to make a very hot, powerful blast

total bomb
  • Informal
7.7

A thing such as a film or product that fails badly with people

A small device that makes a very bad smell to drive people away

umami bomb
  • Slang
6.3

A dish with a very strong savory taste

8.2

A weapon that spreads fuel into the air and then sets it on fire, causing a very large blast

9.8

A bomb that spreads fuel into the air and then sets it on fire to make a very large explosion

How Destructive

nuclear weapon
  • NSFW
634 3.5
airstrike
  • Specialized
173 4.5
bomb
1.8
grenade
170 4.4
firecracker
51 2.6

Surface Forms

bomb singular
bombs plural

Etymology

Bomb comes from an old Greek word meaning 'a deep, booming sound', like the English word boom. So a bomb is named for the loud 'boom' it makes when it explodes.