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dynamiter

dynamiter

8.6
A person who uses dynamite to destroy things
  • noun
  • /ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪtər/
translation icon : dynamitero
  • The skilled dynamiter carefully set the explosives to ensure the building was demolished safely.

Examples

  • The main conflict that structures most of the film is not, as one might expect in a war film, between the Republicans and the fascists, but rather between Jordan, the American dynamiter, and Pablo, the leader of the mountain guerrilla band.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Most of the hardened dynamiters tend to be fishermen or builders who have some experience with TNT from their work.

    Academic text (1996)
  • You remember the American dynamiter, Sergeant Brock?

  • Thus, it is the whole island that must bear responsibility for the accident, not just the dynamiters.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Add to this the fact that many of the dynamiters are inebriated during the entire proceeding, and one gets a sense of the danger involved.

    Academic text (1996)
  • During the construction project, the dynamiter was responsible for blasting away the old structures.

  • The notorious dynamiter was hired for the job, known for his precision in demolition.

Synonyms

blaster
vsdynamiter
  • Specialized
6 8.4

A worker who uses explosives to break rock or destroy buildings

can include political uses beyond regular demolition work
exploder
vsdynamiter
1 7.1

A device or person who makes things blow up to destroy buildings

refers only to a person who uses explosives for blasting, demolition, or political actions
dynamitist
vsdynamiter
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who uses dynamite to attack people or places for political reasons

also works for general blasting and demolition rather than only politics
chargeman
vsdynamiter
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who places and sets off explosives in mines or construction

includes non work or political uses not limited to technical detonation role
powderman
vsdynamiter
  • Archaic
8.8

A person who handles explosives for mining or construction work

focuses on using explosives for blasting, demolition, or political ends rather than selling

Surface Forms

dynamiter singular
dynamiters plural

Morphology

dynamiter = dynamite (transparent) = dynamite + er

This is a regular agent noun formed from 'dynamite' + '-er', so the meaning is directly recoverable from the base word.

Etymology

Dynamiter comes from dynamite, a word built on a Greek root that means 'power', which you also see in dynamo and dynamic. The -er part means 'one who does', so a dynamiter is 'one who uses dynamite', a person who uses powerful explosives for blasting or to destroy.