blast

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/blæst/
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A sudden violent burst of force, sound, or feeling, with related uses for explosive action, loud noise, harsh criticism, fun, mass messaging, immature cells, mild annoyance, and blighting damage.
Practice using blast in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Editorials blasted the proposal as wasteful.
  • Doctors measured the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow.
  • Oh, blast, I spilled coffee on the form.
  • The senator blasted the agency in a televised speech.
  • Blast it! The train has already left.

Similar words

drat
thrill
denounce
damage
explosion
shatter
fun
campaign
blight
attack

Meanings

Sudden violent burst

noun
physical
neutral
A sudden powerful release of force, sound, air, heat, water, or pressure, especially from an explosion or a sharp blow.

Examples

  • The blast from the explosion shattered windows across the street.
  • A blast of cold air rushed in when the door opened.
  • The ship gave two short blasts on its horn.
  • The firefighters knocked the flames back with a blast of water.
  • The furnace sent a blast of heat across the room.

Similar words

explosion
burstgustsurge
jet
shock wave
blare

Break or drive with force

verb
physical
neutral
To break, open, shoot, hit, or move through something with explosive or very strong force.

Examples

  • Engineers blasted a tunnel through the mountain.
  • The explosion blasted a hole in the wall.
  • Police blasted the crowd with water cannons.
  • The forward blasted the ball into the net.
  • The truck blasted down the empty road.

Similar words

explode
detonate
blow up
shatter
shoot
hit
drive

Sound very loudly

verb
sound
neutral
To make a loud harsh noise, or to play music, a horn, or another sound at high volume.

Examples

  • Music blasted from the car stereo.
  • The driver blasted his horn at the cyclist.
  • Sirens blasted through the empty streets.
  • The speakers blasted campaign songs before the rally.
  • A warning tone blasted over the intercom.

Similar words

blare
boom
roar
sound
play loudly
belt out

Criticize harshly

verb
media
informal
To attack someone or something with severe public criticism.

Examples

  • Reviewers blasted the sequel for its lazy plot.
  • The senator blasted the agency in a televised speech.
  • Fans blasted the team after the late collapse.
  • The report blasted the company for ignoring safety warnings.
  • Editorials blasted the proposal as wasteful.

Similar words

criticize
slam
condemn
attack
denounce
censure
rebuke

Harsh outburst

noun
media
informal
A forceful expression of anger, criticism, laughter, or another strong feeling.

Examples

  • The judge delivered a blast of criticism from the bench.
  • Her announcement drew a blast of anger online.
  • A blast of laughter came from the back row.
  • The newspaper printed a front-page blast at the policy.
  • His comment provoked a fresh blast of complaints.

Similar words

outburst
tirade
attack
rebuke
burst
eruption

Very fun experience

noun
entertainment
informal
An exciting and enjoyable event, activity, or time.

Examples

  • We had a blast at the beach.
  • The game night was an absolute blast.
  • Everyone said the festival was a blast.
  • The kids had a blast at camp.
  • Working on the film turned out to be a blast.

Similar words

fun
thrill
delight
treat
good time
party

Mass message

noun
communication
informal
A message, advertisement, or notice sent to many people at the same time, especially by email.

Examples

  • The campaign sent an email blast before the deadline.
  • A text blast alerted residents to the road closure.
  • The store prepared a holiday sale blast for subscribers.
  • The school used a phone blast to announce the snow day.
  • The nonprofit scheduled a donor blast for Monday morning.

Similar words

mailing
broadcast
mass email
campaign
notification
alert

Immature cell

noun
medical
technical
An immature precursor cell, especially an early blood cell seen in bone marrow or blood tests.

Examples

  • The smear showed several abnormal blasts.
  • Doctors measured the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow.
  • A high blast count can point to acute leukemia.
  • The pathologist distinguished myeloid blasts from mature cells.
  • No circulating blasts were seen in the blood sample.

Similar words

blast cell
precursor cell
immature cell
progenitor cell

Mild annoyance

interjection
emotion
informal
A mild old-fashioned exclamation used when something is annoying or has gone wrong.

Examples

  • Blast! I forgot the keys.
  • Blast it! The train has already left.
  • Blast! The file did not save.
  • Blast it all! We took the wrong road.
  • Oh, blast, I spilled coffee on the form.

Similar words

darn
drat
damn
rats

Damage or blight

verb
botany
technical
To damage, wither, or ruin something, especially a plant, crop, hope, or chance.

Examples

  • A late frost blasted the apple blossoms.
  • The hot wind blasted the young wheat.
  • Fungal disease blasted much of the crop.
  • The scandal blasted his hopes of reelection.
  • Salt spray blasted the leaves along the coast.

Similar words

blight
wither
damage
ruin
scorch
destroy

Etymology

From Old English blæst, a blowing or gust, related to Old English blāwan, meaning to blow. The verb developed from the noun, while the medical cell sense comes through Greek blastós, meaning sprout or germ.

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