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.

The agency is responsible securing and disposing of nuclear waste, resopnding to nuclear and radiological emergencies, and serving the U.S. Navy with nuclear technology. —

Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 For example, the United States is largely dependent on China for rare earths used in fiber optics, lasers, batteries, nuclear control rods, medical imaging, metallurgy, permanent magnets, catalysts, electronics, aerospace alloys, solid state devices, and data storage devices. —

Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 They are supposed to be able to fly and protect its occupants from missile attack or even the shock waves of nuclear blast, while still giving the president a flying command post in the case of such an emergency. —

Chris Isidore, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025 The power company initially intended to build 10 GW of nuclear capacity, but increased its target after the Indian government announced plans to open up the sector, the sources said. —

Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for nuclear