thermobaric
adjective
ther·mo·bar·ic
ˌthər-mə-ˈbär-ik 
-ˈber-ik,
-ˈba-rik
of a weapon
: containing a charge of fuel designed to ignite and combine with oxygen present in the atmosphere to produce a prolonged explosion
… thermobaric weapons create extreme heat along with a devastating blast wave particularly when employed in enclosed spaces …—
Theodore L. Gatchel
Theodore L. GatchelExamples of thermobaric in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The same vessels were reportedly fitted with thermobaric Shmel rocket launchers capable of blasting entrenched positions along the shoreline.
—David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
In Iraq, militants used powerful but crude explosive devices; two decades later, Armonda had to deal with the carnage wrought by cluster bombs and thermobaric explosions.
—Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
Armed with thermobaric rockets, a full salvo can blanket roughly 40,000 square meters (430,556 square feet) in seconds, generating intense overpressure capable of destroying bunkers, fortified positions, lightly armored vehicles, and concentrations of personnel.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025
Some are armed with thermobaric warheads, are armored and some are powered by jet engines.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thermobaric
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.
David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
In Iraq, militants used powerful but crude explosive devices; two decades later, Armonda had to deal with the carnage wrought by cluster bombs and thermobaric explosions.
—Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
Armed with thermobaric rockets, a full salvo can blanket roughly 40,000 square meters (430,556 square feet) in seconds, generating intense overpressure capable of destroying bunkers, fortified positions, lightly armored vehicles, and concentrations of personnel.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025
Some are armed with thermobaric warheads, are armored and some are powered by jet engines.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thermobaric
Cite this Entry
“Thermobaric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermobaric. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
