English vocabulary · C1
Fusillade
/ˈfjuːzɪlɑːd/ · n.
It means a fast, continuous burst of shots or questions all at once. Many things hit you at the same time, with no break.
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Example sentences
- Reporters fired a fusillade of questions at the minister.
- The team faced a fusillade of shots in the last minute.
Word origin and roots
from French
- fusil — gun (from French)
- ade — action (from French)
Synonyms and nuances
- BARRAGE — heavy non-stop attack (Heavy & Overwhelming)
- VOLLEY — one simultaneous burst (One Round, Many at Once)
- SALVO — guns fired together (Planned & Simultaneous)
Similar words
- barrage
- volley
- salvo
Lesson notes
Fusillade. It means a fast, continuous burst of shots or questions all at once. Many things hit you at the same time, with no break.
Similar words are barrage, volley, and salvo. Use fusillade when many attacks come fast and all at once.
Reporters fired a fusillade of questions at the minister. The team faced a fusillade of shots in the last minute.
From French. Fusil- means gun. Ade- means action. Many guns firing in one action — that is a fusillade.