nuke

1 of 2

noun

ˈnük 

ˈnyük

1

: a nuclear weapon

2

: a nuclear-powered electric generating station

nuke

2 of 2

verb

nuked; nuking

transitive verb

1

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

2

: microwave

Synonyms of nuke

Verb

• destroy
• demolish
• ruin
• devastate
• shatter
• wreck
• smash

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

There are some serious limits to the AI-nukes analogy, nuclear policy expert Ankit Panda wrote in February in his newsletter, Nukesletter. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The first time the secret Cold War plan was put to use, Cold War nukes weren’t a factor at all. — Sonya Ross For The Atlanta Journal-Contitution, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

This nuked numerous moneyline parlays and survivor pool entries, with the Chargers being the most popular pick on Yahoo (more than 32 percent). — Doug Kezirian, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

To save the planet, a crew is sent on a mission to give the sun back its shine… by nuking the crap out of it. — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening and respelling from nuclear

Verb

derivative of nuke entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1958, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nuke

• fluke
• juke
• kook
• luc
• luke
• puke
• souk
• spook
• archduke
• rebuke
• caoutchouc