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Definition of thermonuclear

thermonuclear

/ˌθɝːmoʊˈnuːkliɚ/
ther · mo · nu · cle · ar
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thermonuclear Lexical Profile

thermonuclear Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or involving nuclear fusion reactions that occur only at extremely high temperatures, such as those in the interior of stars.

Example

"Astrophysicists study the thermonuclear reactions that power the core of the sun and other main-sequence stars."

2

Extremely intense, explosive, or destructive in nature (used figuratively of a dispute, reaction, or temper).

Example

"The board of directors had a thermonuclear reaction when the unapproved financial audit was leaked to the press."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for thermonuclear

• Nearby Words

thermocouple
thermodynamics
thermometer
thermonuclear
thermopsis
thermos
thermostat

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 1930s by combining the Greek-derived prefix thermo- ('heat') with nuclear (from Latin nucleus, 'kernel'), originally in astrophysical contexts describing stellar fusion.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thermonuclear. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thermonuclear
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