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fulmination

fulmination

1 9.9
A loud angry speech that attacks a person or idea
  • noun
  • /ˌfʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : fulminación
  • The crowd erupted in fulmination when the proposed tax hike was announced.

Examples

  • Recall Ussher's fulminations against popery, an attitude shared by his Anglican brethren in charge.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Your fulminations, milords and gentlemen... are full of bilge and blather.

  • These sorts of fulminations about 1776 and so forth are basically rather silly.

    Blog text (16)
  • You only need to have tuned in to any of the past couple years' worth of Republican fulminations about immigration to know what a load of crap that is.

    Blog text (19)
  • The new South African constitution guaranteeing freedom of movement and exit means that little can be done, beyond fulmination and finger-pointing, to stop those who wish to leave.

    Academic text (2002)
  • We find all this, and much else, in a sumptuous volume put out by Rizzoli, and we really must wonder what these fulminations against capitalism are doing on those glossy pages.

    Academic text (1992)
  • And contrary to Mahathir's fulminations, it was banks that caused the fright of "hot money" from East Asia during the 1997-98 crisis, with hedge funds being among the first to go back in.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Does anyone think our cause is enhanced by the fulminations of cranky old man John McCain and fawning follower Lindsey Graham?

    Blog text (4)
  • The teacher's fulmination against cheating was loud enough for the entire school to hear.

  • After hearing the senator's fulmination on the issue, many voters reconsidered their support.

Synonyms

tirade
vsfulmination
25 7.7

A long angry speech that criticizes someone or something

is often a forceful loud protest that may be shorter
diatribe
vsfulmination
23 8.5

A long angry attack in words against someone or something

is broader, covering loud angry protest rather than only bitter personal attacks
harangue
vsfulmination
4 8.9

A long angry speech that attacks a person or their ideas

focuses on loud angry protest rather than on speech length
remonstration
vsfulmination
  • Formal
1 9.5

A strong, formal protest that shows serious disagreement

is more angry and loud, not merely formal or earnest protest
vociferation
vsfulmination
  • Formal
9.5

A loud, strong shout often made in protest

adds angry attacking content beyond mere loud vocal protest

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Forceful

fulmination
  • Formal
1 9.9
denunciation
12 7.4
tirade
25 7.7
criticism
512 3.0
complaint
564 1.4
remark
371 1.4

Surface Forms

fulmination singular
fulminations plural

Morphology

fulmination = fulminate (transparent) = fulminate + ion

The noun is formed from the verb 'fulminate' with the regular noun-forming suffix '-ion'; the meaning 'an angry verbal attack' is directly derived from the verb.

Etymology

Fulmination comes from the Latin fulmen meaning 'lightning' and the verb fulminare meaning 'to strike with lightning'. So imagine a sudden lightning strike or loud thunder: a fulmination is a sudden, angry, and forceful verbal attack, which explains its sharp, explosive sense.