Make Your Point > Archived Issues > FULMINATE

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connect today's word to others: In Latin, fulmen means both "a bolt of lightning" and "a bolt of thunder," and fulmināre means both "to strike like lightning" and "to threaten like thunder." That brings us to today's fulminate: "to explode like thunder with violent criticisms, to strike like lightning with cruel words." See if you can recall this other thunderous word: an af_____ap is another bad or explosive thing that happens after a similar thing, like an unexpected clap of thunder when you thought the storm had already passed. Let's also recall some synonyms of fulminating, meaning "furiously criticizing:" we've got cast___ting, upb____ding, vi__fying, and vitu____ting. Those four are extremely similar in meaning. But which one suggests yanking people up by the collar to scold them? (Here's the answer.) Which one suggests punishing people with words in order to purify them? (Answer.) Which one suggests using harsh words to point out people's faults and defects? (Answer.) And which one suggests using harsh words to point out how vile people are? (Answer.) (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "FULMINATE" Although this word has several meanings, we'll focus on the most common one. To fulminate is to criticize in a loud, harsh, explosive way that reminds you of thunder or lightning. Pronunciation: FOOL muh nate Part of speech: Verb, the intransitive kind: "he fulminates," "she fulminates at them," "they fulminated over this," "we're fulminating against it." Other forms: fulminated, fulminating, fulminant/fulminatory, fulmination(s), fulminator(s) How to use it: Who is it that fulminates? What kind of people get so worked up over things that their shouts seem like thunder or lightning? Anyone with a platform or an audience: politicians and other officials, protestors and activists, news anchors and commentators, preachers, bloggers, guests at a dinner party, and sometimes, unfortunately, fellow elevator-riders. Talk about those people fulminating, often fulminating on, over, or about some topic; fulminating at or against someone or something; fulminating on television, in the news, on Twitter, etc. When you need an adjective, you probably want "fulminating;" it's much more common than "fulminant" and "fulminatory." Talk about fulminating comments, speeches, sermons, sentiments, obsessions, etc. examples: Her point is that marchers should march for something, not just march while rabidly fulminating against something. "The French are fulminating over the game, Assassin’s Creed Unity, not because of excessive violence as Americans might, but over its historical inaccuracy and political slant."    —Dan Bilefsky, The New York Times, 20 November 2014 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "fulminate" without saying "explode with criticisms" or "thunder with complaints." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "Fulminating against _____ gets us nowhere: we have to (take action somehow)." Example: "Fulminating against gerrymandering gets us nowhere: we have to vote in the people who'll end it." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Complete the Clichés! In each issue this month, I'll present a general theme and a handful of common expressions that apply to it--but only the first few words of each expression. See if you can complete them!  To keep things interesting, I've picked a mixture of phrases both new and familiar to me. I hope some will pique your curiosity and inspire you to Google them for their meanings and backstories. (Please try that first, and if your search turns up empty, email me for help.) If you're playing this game with the kids in your family or your class, you might enjoy talking together about what the phrases mean. Enjoy! In the previous issue, the theme was "Ahhh, that's better:" A. Balm in... B. Beat swords into... C. Far from the madding... D. Pour oil on... Answers: A. Balm in Gilead B. Beat swords into plowshares C. Far from the madding crowd D. Pour oil on troubled waters Try these today. The theme is "Lots to do:" A. Busy as a cat... B. Double in... C. Hewers of wood... D. He lets no grass... E. Put your shoulder... review today's word: 1. The opposite of FULMINATING is A. PRAISING. B. CLARIFYING. C. WELCOMING. 2. Always fulminating, Spiro Agnew _____ A. insisted that the United States is the "greatest nation." B. called his opponents "impudent snobs" and "nattering nabobs." C. implored that we all pay close attention to "the lessons of the past." Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. B