fulminate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fulminate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing strong criticism or denunciation, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The senator began to fulminate against the proposed legislation, arguing that it would harm the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While in Paris, Liebig investigated the dangerous explosive silver fulminate, a salt of fulminic acid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

WASHINGTON'S politicians have relished the many chances to fulminate against reckless executives presented by the economic crisis, and to restrain them with regulation.

The Economist

Liberals fulminate constantly against outrageous conservative obstruction, yet often seem nevertheless surprised by its effectiveness.

The Economist

Christian and Muslim leaders fulminate against promiscuity and claim that AIDS is a punishment from God to be endured, not cured.

The Economist

Still, Texas farmers will bring in only an estimated $274m this year; the average for the past five years was more than twice as high.In this section The Lone Star candidate Still truckin' Scheme, stonewall and fulminate The Amazon war Bone-dry Cooking the swamp Et in Alabama ego ReprintsAt least Texas is used to the heat.

The Economist

FOR years Melvyn Weiss was the most hated man in the boardrooms of corporate America exhibit A for any boss minded to fulminate about how lawyers were sucking the lifeblood out of capitalism through frivolous lawsuits that distracted bosses, discouraged risk-taking and cost shareholders billions of dollars.

The Economist

A December budget crunch saw Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats' boss in the House, fulminate against her own president's willingness to cut deals with Republicans.Greybeards counsel calm.

The Economist

The one bar in Skopje, Macedonia's capital, that both communities frequent became eerily empty during the recent fighting; only in the past few days has business picked up.While western governments have rushed to reassure Macedonia of their support, Slav Macedonian politicians fulminate bitterly against NATO's naivety, or worse, in handling the Kosovar Albanians.

The Economist

That would make it even harder for Mr Cameron to do other than fulminate against the EU.

The Economist

Their joint effort had caused Italian politicians to fulminate against the loss of a "strategic" national asset.

The Economist

Harold Wilson, a British prime minister, used to fulminate against the "gnomes of Zurich" who speculated against the pound.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fulminate" to describe situations where someone expresses strong disapproval or criticism in a formal or intense manner. It adds a sense of vehemence and indignation to the writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fulminate" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in contexts that call for a more relaxed tone. Opt for simpler words like "complain" or "criticize".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fulminate" is as a verb. It describes the action of expressing vehement protest or condemnation. Ludwig AI highlights its use in contexts where someone strongly attacks something verbally, aligning with its dictionary definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fulminate" is a verb used to express strong criticism or denunciation, often in a formal context. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and encyclopedic sources. While its frequent use signals its acceptance, it is advisable to consider the context and audience to ensure appropriate tone. For less formal settings, alternatives such as "denounce" or "criticize" might be more suitable. Understanding these nuances will help ensure effective and contextually appropriate use of "fulminate" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

denounce

Directly condemns something, often publicly and formally.

rail against

Emphasizes continuous and angry complaints.

berate

Suggests a harsh and prolonged criticism.

condemn

Indicates a strong disapproval, often moral.

excoriate

Implies a severe and scathing criticism.

castigate

Highlights a disciplinary or corrective criticism.

attack verbally

General term for a strong verbal criticism.

criticize severely

Emphasizes the intensity of the disapproval.

blast

Indicates a sudden and forceful verbal assault.

thunder against

Suggests a loud and powerful denunciation.

FAQs

How to use "fulminate" in a sentence?

"Fulminate" is often used to describe someone expressing strong disapproval or criticism. For example, "The politician began to "fulminate" against the proposed tax increase.".

What can I say instead of "fulminate"?

You can use alternatives like "denounce", "rail against", or "berate" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

What is the register of the word "fulminate"?

"Fulminate" is typically used in more formal or literary contexts. Using it in casual conversation might sound out of place. Consider the audience and the tone you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "fulminate" in writing?

Use "fulminate" when you want to convey a sense of strong, often indignant, criticism or denunciation. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, or formal speeches where you need to emphasize the intensity of disapproval.