nuke

noun

\ˈnük,

ˈnyük\

Definition of nuke

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a nuclear weapon

2 : a nuclear-powered electric generating station

nuke

verb

nuked; nuking

Definition of nuke (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to attack or destroy with or as if with nuclear bombs

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about nuke

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Examples of nuke in a Sentence

Verb

a pretty sizable piece of real estate would be nuked if an asteroid struck

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Russia had 1,600 deployed nukes during the same period. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. and Russia Are Shrinking Their Nuclear Arsenals—But China Isn't," 19 June 2018 More: House debates defense bill that authorizes smaller nukes, space force and a military parade. — Michael Collins, USA TODAY, "Congress, White House head for showdown over Chinese telecom ZTE after Senate OKs defense bill," 18 June 2018 His stated time frame for dismantling Pyongyang’s nukes: 2½ years. — latimes.com, "Today: Inside the Shelters for Young Migrants," 14 June 2018 During a quarter-century of on-off negotiations, human rights have played second fiddle for U.S. administrations seeking to ameliorate the threat posed by the North's nukes, and there's a reason. — Matthew Pennington, chicagotribune.com, "At Trump-Kim summit, human rights is a back-burner issue," 11 June 2018 Despite the controversy around Fallout 76, these Bethesda projects prove that the publisher is committed to single-player experiences — but that fact is easy to forget when other players are firing nukes at you. — Patricia Hernandez, The Verge, "Fallout 76 sparks more fan anxiety about direction of series," 11 June 2018 Many analysts are skeptical Kim will give up nukes since similar deals have collapsed in the past. — Joseph Hincks / Seoul, Time, "U.S. Veterans Remember the Dead as Coffins Await Korean War Remains," 28 June 2018 The conservative Chosun Ilbo, the country’s biggest paper, was decidedly more critical, denouncing Trump for offering the end military drills while failing to convince the North to commit to verifiably giving up its nukes for good. — Washington Post, "With US-NKorea summit over, US envoy to brief Asia allies," 13 June 2018 The conservative Chosun Ilbo, the country’s biggest paper, was decidedly more critical, denouncing Trump for offering the end of military drills while failing to convince the North to commit to verifiably giving up its nukes for good. — BostonGlobe.com, "With summit over, Mike Pompeo makes visits to Asian allies," 13 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Those moves were unthinkable even several months ago, when the two unpredictable leaders threatened to nuke each other and traded a series of harsh personal insults. — Washington Post, "Trump-Kim summit raises new questions over South Korean role," 14 June 2018 Those moves were unthinkable even several months ago, when the two unpredictable leaders threatened to nuke each other and traded a series of harsh personal insults. — Washington Post, "Trump-Kim summit raises new questions over South Korean role," 14 June 2018 Fleas are swatted away, not nuked with presidential statements. — William Cummings, USA TODAY, "The Bubble: Michael Wolff's book a 'gift' to Trump, liberals say," 4 Jan. 2018 Those moves were unthinkable even several months ago, when the two unpredictable leaders threatened to nuke each other and traded a series of harsh personal insults. — Washington Post, "Trump-Kim summit raises new questions over South Korean role," 14 June 2018 Those moves were unthinkable even several months ago, when the two unpredictable leaders threatened to nuke each other and traded a series of harsh personal insults. — Washington Post, "Trump-Kim summit raises new questions over South Korean role," 14 June 2018 And there’s no reason to nuke your palate just yet. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "6 Beers and 6 Wines to Improve Your Fourth of July Cookout," 29 June 2018 Those moves were unthinkable even several months ago, when the two unpredictable leaders threatened to nuke each other and traded a series of harsh personal insults. — Washington Post, "Trump-Kim summit raises new questions over South Korean role," 14 June 2018 When Trump took office, Washington elites were arguing over two options for dealing with Kim’s nukes: military intervention or learning to live with a nuclear North Korea through deterrence. — Brian Bennett, Time, "This Is What Trump’s Impulsive Diplomacy Looks Like," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nuke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near nuke

Statistics for nuke

Last Updated

17 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for nuke

The first known use of nuke was in 1958

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More Definitions for nuke

nuke

noun

English Language Learners Definition of nuke

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a nuclear weapon

nuke

verb

English Language Learners Definition of nuke (Entry 2 of 2)

: to attack or destroy (something) with a nuclear weapon

: to heat or cook (food) in a microwave oven

See the full definition for nuke in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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