nuclear

adjective

nu·cle·ar ˈnü-klē-ər

ˈnyü-

nonstandard -kyə-lər

Synonyms of nuclear next

: of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus

annexation of the suburban fringe by the nuclear metropolis—

W. H. Wickwar

: of or relating to the atomic nucleus

nuclear reaction

nuclear physics

: used in or produced by a nuclear reaction (such as fission)

nuclear fuel

nuclear waste

nuclear energy

c(1)

: being a weapon whose destructive power derives from an uncontrolled nuclear reaction

(2)

: of, produced by, or involving nuclear weapons

the nuclear age

nuclear war

(3)

: armed with nuclear weapons

nuclear powers

: of, relating to, or powered by nuclear energy

a nuclear submarine

the nuclear debate

a nuclear plant

How do you pronounce nuclear?: Usage Guide

Though disapproved of by many, pronunciations ending in \-kyə-lər\ have been found in widespread use among educated speakers including scientists, lawyers, professors, congressmen, U.S. cabinet members, and at least two U.S. presidents and one vice president. While most common in the U.S., these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers.

Phrases

go nuclear

informal

: to become wildly excited or upset : go berserk

To say the crowd went wild is an understatement. The crowd went nuclear. Outside the stadium, cars were overturned and fires were set. We sportswriters huddled inside, fearing for our lives.—

Tony Kornheiser

Examples of nuclear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Trump has a golden opportunity to make a much bigger deal with Iran that would return real curbs on the nuclear program in exchange for economic incentives. —

Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Cuban Missile Crisis: Buy when the missiles are flying Cashin had to live through the constant specter of a nuclear attack in the early 1960s. —

Bob Pisani, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024 Iran pushes ahead with its nuclear program, earning a jab from the International Atomic Energy Agency, and launches historic but largely intercepted drone-and-missile barrages. —

Colin Demarest, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024 The show examines historical incidents — including the Able Archer 83 military exercise, which simulated a nuclear attack and the 1971 Media FBI heist. —

Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nuclear