carpet bomb
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: * To bomb (a large area) systematically and extensively, typically by dropping a high density of bombs to cover the entire target zone.
Usage
This term is used specifically in a military context to describe a method of aerial bombardment. It implies a tactic of saturation, aiming to destroy everything within a defined area rather than targeting specific, individual points. It often carries connotations of indiscriminate destruction.
Examples
- Verb:
- The generals argued that the only way to break the enemy's defenses was to carpet bomb the entire region.
- During the war, several cities were carpet bombed, leaving vast areas in ruins.
- The military doctrine has moved away from strategies that involve carpet bombing populated areas.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative/Extended Use: The term can be used metaphorically outside of military contexts to describe any action that is applied broadly and intensively to cover a wide area or range of targets.
- The marketing team plans to carpet bomb social media with advertisements for the new product launch.
- The politician carpet bombed the airwaves with attack ads during the final week of the campaign.
Variants and Related Words
- Carpet bombing (n): The act or instance of carpet bombing.
- The carpet bombing of the city caused catastrophic civilian casualties.
Synonyms
- Saturation bomb
- Blanket bomb
Antonyms
- Surgical strike
- Precision bomb
- Target (specifically)
Notes on Meaning
The term is strongly associated with 20th-century warfare, particularly the strategic bombing campaigns of World War II and the Vietnam War. Its use is almost exclusively in contexts discussing warfare, military history, or as a potent metaphor for overwhelming, non-selective force.
Verb
- bomb a large area systematically and extensively
- The U.S. decided to carpet bomb Vietnam