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Glite Dictionary
fulminous explosion

fulminous explosion

9.0
A very sudden powerful blast that breaks things and makes loud noise
  • noun
  • /ˈfʌlmɪnəs ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
translation icon : explosión fulminante
  • The fulminous explosion shattered every window in the building within seconds.

Examples

  • Investigators determined that a gas leak had caused the fulminous explosion in the warehouse.

  • A fulminous explosion rocked the laboratory, prompting an immediate evacuation.

  • The fulminous explosion rocked the entire building.

  • Witnesses reported a fulminous explosion at the factory.

  • A fulminous explosion rocked the laboratory, prompting an immediate evacuation.

  • Investigators determined that a gas leak had caused the fulminous explosion in the warehouse.

  • The fulminous explosion shattered every window in the building within seconds.

Synonyms

blast
vsfulminous explosion
297 3.0

A sudden strong explosion that breaks things

is more about extreme speed and force than the specific cause
detonation
vsfulminous explosion
  • Specialized
85 6.7

A sudden violent explosion from a chemical or nuclear reaction

is a sudden violent event noted for great force and speed
burst
vsfulminous explosion
62 2.2

A sudden breaking open or explosion

is about extremely forceful and fast violent action rather than gentle rupture
explosion
vsfulminous explosion
44 3.0

A sudden strong burst of emotion or noise

is used for very fast and forceful physical events rather than emotional ones
blowup
vsfulminous explosion
  • US
1 6.0

A sudden violent explosion that destroys things nearby

is defined by extreme quickness and very great force rather than source

How Violent

fulminous explosion
9.0
detonation
  • Specialized
85 6.7
bang
237 1.3
blast
37 3.3

Surface Forms

fulminous explosion singular
fulminous explosions plural

Morphology

fulminous + explosion

The modifier 'fulminous' is extremely rare and not given a transparent definition here, so a B1 learner would not reliably know its sense even if they know 'explosion'. The noun 'explosion' is clear, but the overall meaning ('sudden and violent') depends on an uncommon adjective that is not compositionally predictable or widely attested, making the phrase opaque to learners.

Etymology

Fulminous explosion may come from a word for 'lightning' because fulminous suggests a sudden, bright strike and explosion is a violent burst. So the picture of a blast as quick and powerful as lightning helps explain why it means 'a sudden, very violent explosion'.