1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
one of the most explosive storms to hit that area of the coast in some time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of explosive
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 June 2025
According to the source, the explosive drones were launched at surface-to-surface missile launchers at the Asfajabad base near Tehran, which threatened Israel.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 June 2025
Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025
President Trump's move is just the latest after a momentous week in Washington with the explosive falling out between President Trump and Elon Musk dominating the headlines.
—ABC News, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
The military parade comes amid an explosive conflict between Israel and Iran.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 June 2025
According to the source, the explosive drones were launched at surface-to-surface missile launchers at the Asfajabad base near Tehran, which threatened Israel.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 June 2025
Noun
In response, agents in riot gear unleashed tear gas, flash-bang explosives and pepper balls.
—Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025
President Trump's move is just the latest after a momentous week in Washington with the explosive falling out between President Trump and Elon Musk dominating the headlines.
—ABC News, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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The faction's power grew with the shocking debut of Jacob Fatu, another member of the Anoa'i family known for his intense and destructive style in other promotions.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
Recognizing that gulf is a sad thing for her, and Huston holds Anderson’s intense close-ups with an expression both loving and rueful at once. 40.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Swart said another giveaway is the hotel accommodations that are arranged for violent rioters.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
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Newsom and Trump have sparred over the California protests after the president federalized National Guard troops, arguing local officials were not doing enough to quell demonstrations that at times grew violent, though most protesters were peaceful.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Time has since passed this flavor by, and the explosion of crunchy health elixirs and proper caffeine bombs leaves this relic of the Clinton era in the dust.—
Pete Cottell,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
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Elon Musk escalates feud with Trump: 'Time to drop the really big bomb' Among the other top DOGE employees to follow were Steve Davis, Musk's top lieutenant who oversaw DOGE's day-to-day operations, publicist Katie Miller and DOGE's top attorney James Burnham.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Meta is also making major investments in geothermal technology as a less fossil fuel–intensive way to generate power.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
19 June 2025
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Apex scavengers are disproportionately affected by activities like intensive livestock production, land use changes and the wildlife trade.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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He’s been on a like-a-hurricane live roll lately with his ferocious new band the Chrome Hearts, who make their studio debut on Talkin to the Trees.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
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The game needed overtime — the third game that went beyond regulation in the first four contests of the series — because Edmonton mounted a ferocious comeback after falling into a three-goal first period deficit.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Noun
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And then visualize zapping this face/tumor/marsupial with golden phasers, thought torpedoes, celestial disintegrators, the full arsenal of your mega-mind.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2025
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But in 1797, Galvani reasserted his claims using the example of the torpedo, a fish capable of delivering an electric shock.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Sanders’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), is a fierce Trump critic.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
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Meta’s big bet on Wang fits into CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to bolster his company’s AI efforts amid fierce competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The capsizing was believed to have been caused by turbulent waters from heavy recent rains.—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
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The spike in geomagnetic activity is driven primarily by a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent region in the solar wind in which fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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