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superbomb

superbomb

1 7.5
A very powerful bomb that can destroy a whole city, often using nuclear energy
  • noun
  • /ˈsuːpərbɑm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : superbomba
  • Scientists are researching new technologies to enhance the efficiency of a superbomb for future defense scenarios.
  • a new superbomb

Examples

  • A 100-megaton superbomb was to be included in the test series for maximum political impact.

    Academic text (1996)
  • In June 1951, Teller and de Hoffmann issued a report on the effectiveness of using 6LiD in the new superbomb configuration.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The new superbomb design was named the Teller-Ulam configuration.

    Academic text (1996)
  • On that day, President Truman announced the directive to continue US work on the superbomb.

    Academic text (1996)
  • At the far right is the Soviet superbomb, fired at Novaya Zemlya on 30 October 1961, with a yield of about 50 megatons.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The military demonstrated the devastating power of a superbomb during the weapons test last year.

  • The superbomb was designed to cause unprecedented destruction, far exceeding any conventional explosives.

Synonyms

nuclear weapon
vssuperbomb
  • NSFW
634 3.5

A very powerful bomb that uses energy from splitting or joining atoms

is a specific very powerful bomb usually involving fusion rather than any nuclear device
nuke
vssuperbomb
  • Slang
148 7.6

A very powerful bomb that uses nuclear energy

is a more formal technical idea for an extremely powerful fusion-based bomb
hydrogen bomb
vssuperbomb
  • Specialized
8 4.9

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

is the general label for an extremely powerful bomb rather than only the technical term
H-bomb
vssuperbomb
  • NSFW
3 4.0

A very powerful nuclear weapon that explodes by joining hydrogen atoms

is the broader word for an extremely powerful bomb often using fusion
superweapon
vssuperbomb
1 7.5

A very powerful device that can destroy large areas

is specifically a very powerful bomb commonly using fusion energy
fusion bomb
vssuperbomb
  • Specialized
1 6.3

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

is the general high-impact term often applied to bombs made that way
megaton bomb
vssuperbomb
  • Specialized
1 6.0

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

denotes an extremely powerful bomb but not limited to that exact yield
thermonuclear bomb
vssuperbomb
  • Specialized
1 6.9

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

is the common dramatic label for an extremely powerful bomb focusing on size
multimegaton
vssuperbomb
  • Specialized
9.9

A bomb with the power of several million tons of TNT

focuses on extreme destructive power often linked to fusion rather than specific yield

Antonyms

low explosive
  • Specialized
1 7.6

An explosive that burns slowly and does not make a strong shock wave like black powder

How Powerful

superbomb
  • Archaic
1 7.5
thermonuclear bomb
  • Specialized
1 6.9
atomic bomb
  • Specialized
66 2.3
general-purpose bomb
  • Specialized
4.4
grenade
170 4.4

Surface Forms

superbomb singular
superbombs plural

Morphology

superbomb = bomb (transparent) = super + bomb

The productive intensifying prefix 'super-' combines with 'bomb' to yield the literal meaning 'extremely powerful bomb', which is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

Superbomb combines the prefix super-, from an old Latin word that means 'above', as in supermarket, and bomb, so it literally means a bomb 'above' ordinary ones. That's why superbomb refers to an extremely powerful bomb, like a hydrogen bomb.