barrage

barrage¹ Definition

bar·rage (bə räz̸h′, -räj′)

noun

a curtain of artillery fire laid down to keep enemy forces from moving, or to cover or prepare the way for one's own forces, esp. in attack
a heavy, prolonged attack of words, blows, etc.

Etymology: Fr, in tir de barrage, barrier fire: see barrage

intransitive verb, transitive verb -·raged′, -·rag′·ing

to lay down a barrage (against); subject to a barrage

barrage² Definition

bar·rage (bär′ij, bar′-)

noun

a man-made barrier in a stream, river, etc. to deepen the water or channel it for irrigation; dam

Etymology: Fr < barrer, to stop < barre, bar

barrage Synonyms

bombardment, blast, volley, torrent; see attack 1, fire 2, plenty.

barrage Usage Examples

Preposition: of

criticism: We've received a barrage of criticism from people who know we can play better than we had done in our previous European matches.
propaganda: With the barrage of propaganda served up to us every day, we have to be.
insult: The only guests not greeted with a barrage of insults, are those with a title.
missile: The police just couldn't resist trying to pop out of every side street - to be greeted by a barrage of missiles.
abuse: Consider yourself lucky to get away with just a barrage of abuse; usually this is accompanied by a very real physical threat.
emails: This constant barrage of emails is confusing the hell out of me!

Converse of object

creep: They advanced behind a creeping barrage - a curtain of falling shells which crept forward just ahead of them.
unleash: It unleashed an artillery barrage of paper on the staff rooms of England.
withstand: Some in the group are strong enough to withstand the continuous barrage, dishing it back or just ignoring the stupid, vicious taunts.

Adjective modifier

tidal: A 10-mile tidal barrage has been proposed for the Severn estuary from the west of Cardiff to Somerset.
relentless: Between the two of them, they keep up a relentless barrage of badinage.
non-stop: The second of our unsigned events focus's on the non-stop barrage of rock bands coming out of Britain in 2004.
constant: Even in his quiet moments, Paul set was a constant barrage of rhythm.
terrific: RAF and Navy making enormous noise and SP artillery putting over terrific barrage.
sustained: Imagine the effect of a sustained barrage of this ferocity on even a lightly manned trench.

Modifies a noun

Noun used with modifier

artillery: On July 18th 1917, a heavy artillery barrage was launched at the German lines.
mortar: Starting at 1500 hours on 14 Aug the Germans conducted a 10 min mortar barrage on the Russian held wood.
balloon: German bombers passed through the balloon barrage at Billingham.

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