Bombardment: meaning, definitions and examples

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bombardment

[bɒmˈbɑːd.mənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

during warfare

The act of attacking with bombs, shells, or other missiles. Bombardment is often used as a military strategy to weaken the enemy's defenses.

Synonyms

assault, attack, barrage, shelling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bombardment	Use when referring to continuous and heavy artillery fire or bombing over an area, often in a military context. The city suffered a relentless bombardment for several days. The constant bombardment left the landscape in ruins.
attack	This is a general term for any aggressive action against someone or something, and can be used in both physical and non-physical contexts. The castle was under attack for several hours. She faced a verbal attack during the meeting.
assault	This term is typically used for a violent physical attack, either in a military context or a criminal one, indicating a high degree of force and intent to harm. The villagers prepared for the impending assault from enemy forces. He was arrested for assault after the bar fight.
barrage	Refers to a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area, and can also be used metaphorically to describe a rapid and overwhelming outpouring of something. The troops hid in their trenches to avoid the barrage of enemy fire. He faced a barrage of questions during the press conference.
shelling	Specifically used to describe continuous fire of explosive shells during a military operation. The refugees fled the city to escape the relentless shelling. The shelling destroyed many historical buildings in the area.

Examples of usage

The city endured heavy bombardment during the war.
The constant bombardment caused widespread destruction.
The enemy forces launched a massive bombardment on the civilian population.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in a different context

A continuous flow of questions, criticisms, or information directed at someone. Bombardment can also refer to overwhelming someone with a large amount of something.

Synonyms

avalanche, deluge, flood, onslaught.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bombardment	Used to describe a heavy and continuous attack, usually with bombs or artillery. It can also be used metaphorically for a large influx of information or questions. The city suffered a bombardment during the war. She faced a bombardment of questions from the reporters.
onslaught	Describes a fierce or destructive attack. Can also be used metaphorically for a large and difficult-to-handle amount of something. The soldiers were ready for the enemy's onslaught. The new policy led to an onslaught of complaints.
flood	Generally refers to an overflow of water that submerges land. It can also describe any large amount of something arriving simultaneously. The heavy rains caused a flood in the city. She was greeted with a flood of congratulatory messages.
deluge	Usually refers to a severe flood. It can also describe an overwhelming amount of things, such as work or complaints. The valley was hit by a deluge that lasted for days. The company faced a deluge of complaints after the error.
avalanche	Typically refers to a large mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside. It can also be used to describe a sudden, overwhelming quantity of something. An avalanche buried the ski resort. They received an avalanche of emails after the announcement.

Examples of usage

She was tired of the constant bombardment of questions from the reporters.
The bombardment of advertisements on social media can be overwhelming.
The bombardment of emails in her inbox was never-ending.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term originates from the Middle French word 'bombardement,' linked to the Latin 'bombarda,' meaning a large artillery device.
During the 17th century, bombardment became a critical military tactic during sieges, aiming to break defenses.
In World War I, the strategy evolved with aerial bombardments, using airplanes to drop bombs on targets from above.

Military Strategy

A bombardment can serve various purposes, including psychological impact, destruction of infrastructure, and disabling enemy positions.
Precision-guided munitions have shifted bombardment tactics, focusing on minimizing collateral damage while maximizing effectiveness.
The concept of 'saturation bombing' allows forces to overwhelm an area, making it hard for the enemy to respond.

Cultural References

Bombardment is often depicted in movies and literature, highlighting the chaos and destruction of war, such as in films like 'Dunkirk.'
Artworks capturing battles often illustrate the bombardment technique to showcase the intensity of conflicts throughout history.
In video games, bombardment is a popular mechanic, appearing in strategy games that allow players to deploy heavy artillery against opponents.

Science and Technology

Modern warfare technology, like drones, has altered traditional bombardment, allowing for more targeted attacks from remote locations.
The effects of bombardment on the environment have sparked debates about sustainable warfare and the destruction of ecosystems.
Research into the psychological effects on soldiers is critical as bombardment can lead to trauma and long-lasting mental health issues.

Psychology

Witnesses of bombardment often experience heightened stress responses, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The concept of 'desensitization' occurs when individuals exposed to frequent bombardment events become less sensitive to violence over time.
Studies show that the anticipation of bombardment can create significant anxiety, impacting mental health and decision-making.

Translations

Translations of the word "bombardment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bombardeio

🇮🇳 बमबारी

🇩🇪 Bombardierung

🇮🇩 pengeboman

🇺🇦 бомбардування

🇵🇱 bombardowanie

🇯🇵 爆撃 (ばくげき)

🇫🇷 bombardement

🇪🇸 bombardeo

🇹🇷 bombardıman

🇰🇷 폭격 (pokgyeok)

🇸🇦 قصف (qasf)

🇨🇿 bombardování

🇸🇰 bombardovanie

🇨🇳 轰炸 (hōngzhà)

🇸🇮 bombardiranje

🇮🇸 sprengjuárás

🇰🇿 бомбалау

🇬🇪 ბომბარდირება

🇦🇿 bombardman

🇲🇽 bombardeo

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,853, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11850 boarded
11851 ingestion
11852 starved
11853 bombardment
11854 thyself
11855 incense
11856 cutters
...