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Definitions

nuclear

[noo-klee-er, nyoo-, -kyuh-ler] / ˈnu kli ər, ˈnyu-, -kyə lər /
ADJECTIVE
central
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basic essential fundamental important key paramount pivotal significant
STRONG
cardinal center chief dominant interior intermediate leading master mean median middle midway primary prime radical ruling salient umbilical
WEAK
axial centric centroidal equidistant focal foremost inmost inner mid middlemost midmost omphalic outstanding overriding predominant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
additional auxiliary extra inessential insignificant minor nonessential secondary trivial unimportant unsubstantial
STRONG
exterior extreme inferior outer outside subordinate
WEAK
peripheral
ADJECTIVE
inner
Synonyms
WEAK
close constitutional essential familiar focal inherent innermore inside interior internal intestinal intimate intrinsic inward
Antonyms
WEAK
exterior external outer outside physical
ADJECTIVE
organic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
biological
STRONG
anatomical constitutional essential fundamental integral living necessary original primary prime primitive principal
WEAK
amoebic animate basal biotic cellular elemental inherent innate live plasmic structural vital
Antonyms
STRONG
accessory auxiliary extra inessential minor secondary trivial unimportant unnecessary
WEAK
inorganic man-made unnatural

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The approval from the body that regulates nuclear reactors and waste marks the final hurdle in Pacific Gas & Electric’s multiyear journey to gather the necessary state and federal permits to keep its facility online.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

U.S. special operations forces have devised plans for seizing the nuclear weapons, facilities, and materials of many hostile or turbulent countries.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The officer is no longer in charge of a nuclear submarine.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The European Union is investigating a French plan to subsidize Electricite de France’s construction of six new nuclear reactors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

A nuclear accident that occurred at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979 was classified after the fact as a level 5.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.