weapon of mass destruction

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Word: Weapon of Mass Destruction

Definition: A "weapon of mass destruction" (often abbreviated as WMD) is a type of weapon that can kill or injure many people at once. These weapons can affect both soldiers and innocent civilians and include nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, and biological weapons.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "weapon of mass destruction" when talking about powerful and dangerous weapons that can cause a large number of deaths or injuries.
• It is usually used in discussions about war, security, and international relations.

Example Sentence:

"The government is working hard to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to ensure the safety of its citizens."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced discussions, you might encounter terms like "non-proliferation," which refers to efforts to stop the spread of WMDs. You might also see phrases like "arms control agreements," which are treaties to limit or reduce the number of these weapons among countries.

Word Variants:

• WMD (abbreviation): A common way to refer to "weapons of mass destruction."
• Nuclear weapon: A specific type of WMD that uses nuclear reactions to release energy.
• Chemical weapon: A WMD that uses chemicals to harm or kill.
• Biological weapon: A WMD that uses bacteria or viruses to cause disease.

Different Meanings:

While "weapon of mass destruction" has a specific meaning in terms of military and security contexts, the word "weapon" on its own can refer to any object used to cause harm or defend oneself, such as a knife or a gun.

Synonyms:

• Mass killing weapon: A less common phrase that conveys a similar meaning.
• Destructive weapon: This phrase can also refer to weapons that cause great damage, but it might not specifically imply mass harm.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "weapons of mass destruction," but here are a couple of related phrases: - "Cross the line": To do something that is considered unacceptable, which can relate to the use of WMDs in warfare. - "Bring to the table": To introduce or present an idea or proposal, which can apply in discussions about international treaties on WMDs.

Summary:

In summary, "weapon of mass destruction" refers to highly dangerous weapons capable of causing extensive harm to people.

Academic

Noun

1. a weapon that kills or injures civilian as well as military personnel (nuclear and chemical and biological weapons)

Synonyms

• WMD
• W.M.D.