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grenade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

B2
UK/ɡrəˈneɪd/US/ɡrəˈneɪd/

Military, figurative, informal.

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Quick answer

What does “grenade” mean?

A small bomb thrown by hand or launched from a rifle.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A small bomb thrown by hand or launched from a rifle.

Any small, destructive device or object, often used metaphorically for something that causes sudden disruption.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Both use the same term.

Connotations

Identical military and metaphorical connotations.

Frequency

Slightly higher frequency in American media due to larger military discourse.

Grammar

How to Use “grenade” in a Sentence

VERB + grenade: throw, lob, hurl, detonate, primeADJ + grenade: live, fragmentation, stun, smoke, percussion

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
throw a grenadepull the pin (on a grenade)fragmentation grenadelive grenade
medium
grenade launchersmoke grenadestun grenadegrenade attack
weak
grenade explodedgrenade blastgrenade shrapnel

Examples

Examples of “grenade” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The hacker managed to grenade the entire database.
  • He completely grenaded his chances with that comment.

American English

  • The quarterback got grenaded by the defensive line.
  • Don't grenade the deal by being too aggressive.

adverb

British English

  • N/A

American English

  • N/A

adjective

British English

  • N/A

American English

  • N/A

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used. Possible metaphorical use: 'The new policy was a grenade thrown into the merger negotiations.'

Academic

Used in history, political science, and military studies contexts.

Everyday

Mostly in news, action films, video games, and figurative speech.

Technical

Precise military and law enforcement terminology for types of grenades (e.g., flash-bang, incendiary).

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “grenade”

Strong

fragmentation grenade (specific type)pineapple (slang, US)

Neutral

explosive devicehand bombprojectile

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “grenade”

shieldprotectionblessing

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “grenade”

  • Incorrect verb form: 'He grenaded the room' (slang) vs. standard 'He threw a grenade into the room.'
  • Spelling: 'grenaid' or 'granade'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Primarily yes, but it is used informally as a verb meaning 'to destroy or ruin something spectacularly'.

A grenade is a specific type of bomb designed to be thrown by hand or launched from a device at short range. 'Bomb' is a more general term.

Extremely rarely. Its core meaning is destructive, so positive uses are almost always ironic or metaphorical (e.g., 'a grenade of new ideas').

It's historical military slang, primarily American, referring to the segmented metal casing of the Mk 2 grenade which resembled the skin of a pineapple.

A small bomb thrown by hand or launched from a rifle.

Grenade is usually military, figurative, informal. in register.

Grenade: in British English it is pronounced /ɡrəˈneɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡrəˈneɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Social grenade (a person who causes awkward disruption)”
  • “Hold onto a live grenade (to be in a dangerous, unstable situation)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: GREN-ADE sounds like 'grenade' - a great 'ade' (drink) you definitely wouldn't want to swallow.

Conceptual Metaphor

DISRUPTION IS AN EXPLOSION (e.g., 'He grenaded the meeting with his outburst.')

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The riot police deployed a to disperse the crowd without causing fatal injuries.
Multiple Choice

What is the most common metaphorical use of 'grenade'?