explosive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv 

-ziv

1

a

: relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion

an explosive hatch

b

: resulting from or as if from an explosion

explosive population growth

2

a

: tending to explode

an explosive person

b

: likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence

an explosive situation

explosively adverb

explosiveness noun

explosive

2 of 2

noun

1

: an explosive substance

2

: a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation when it occurs in certain environments : stop

Synonyms of explosive

Adjective

• intense
• intensive
• ferocious
• fierce
• deep
• terrible
• violent
• heavy
• furious

Examples of explosive in a Sentence

Adjective

He has an explosive temper.

there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Patel, whose company is building infrastructure supporting the AI boom, expects AI agents to go mainstream, allowing demand to continue its explosive growth. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

D’Andre Swift opened the period with an explosive run for 29 yards plus a 12-yard burst on the next snap. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Noun

Romania last week began sinking four barges loaded with rock near the Danube’s Bala Canal that its military blasted from the river using explosives. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

German police said on Thursday that a suspicious object found on rail tracks in a Bavarian town did not contain explosives, as initially feared. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing explosive

• high explosive
• plastic explosive

Rhymes for explosive

• corrosive
• erosive
• noncorrosive
• plosive

Kids Definition

explosive

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv 

-ziv

1

: able to cause explosion

the explosive power of gunpowder

2

: likely to explode

an explosive temper

explosively adverb

explosiveness noun

explosive

2 of 2 noun

: an explosive substance