barrage
/ˈbarɑːʒ
/noun
1A concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area: his forces launched an artillery barrage on the city...
- Surprisingly, a few enemy soldiers and vehicles had survived the concentrated artillery barrage and helicopter attack.
- Most of the damage was done by the Sri Lankan military through air raids and artillery barrages.
- This eliminates the traditional requirement for an area fire or artillery barrage.
Synonyms
bombardment, gunfire, cannonade, battery, blast, broadside, salvo, volley, fusillade;
storm, hail, shower, cascade, rain, stream, blitz;
shelling, wall/curtain/barrier of fire
1.1An overwhelming number of questions, criticisms, or complaints delivered simultaneously or in rapid succession: a barrage of questions...
- After facing a barrage of criticism from the aircraft industry, the federal government issued a call for a single tender last December, just days after Chretien left office.
- Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw yesterday side-stepped a barrage of questions over the death of Government scientist Dr David Kelly.
- It is now nearly four months since police imposed a dispersal order covering Rodbourne Cheney, Moredon and Green-meadow following a barrage of complaints about rowdy youths.
Synonyms
abundance, mass, superabundance, plethora, profusion;
deluge, stream, storm, torrent, onslaught, flood, spate, tide, avalanche, hail, burst, blaze;
outburst, outpouring
2An artificial barrier across a river or estuary to prevent flooding, aid irrigation or navigation, or to generate electricity by tidal power: they are considering a tidal barrage built across the Severn estuary...
- As a last example, suppose a development authority plans to build a barrage across an estuary to increase property values and generate opportunities for marina developments.
- Dams and irrigation barrages have also added to the woes of the dolphins.
- There is a 5mph speed limit on the whole of the river upstream of the barrage.
Synonyms
dam, weir, barrier, dyke, defence, embankment, wall, obstruction, gate, sluice
verb [with object]
Bombard (someone) with questions, criticisms, or complaints: his doctor was barraged with unsolicited advice...
- During our talk, he barraged me with questions about my relationship with Rowen.
- They barraged him with questions, none of which John understood save for one; ‘Who is that?’
- When Kait went downstairs that morning after taking a long, soothing shower, Aunt Sally immediately barraged her with questions.
Origin
Mid 19th century (in sense 2 of the noun): from French, from barrer 'to bar', of unknown origin.