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
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
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Stroud's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead.
—CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Some ski patrol members are even further specialized, intentionally triggering avalanches using explosives before resort areas open for the season to prevent avalanches from happening when skiers are present.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
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Adjective
Watching a lot of it can prime a brain to expect frequent and explosive bursts of excitement, which can make longer and more deeply engaging forms of media feel boring and inadequate, Gupta said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Stroud's two explosive TDs stunned the Chargers and gave Houston a 14-0 lead.
—CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Noun
That’s because contact solution that contains hydrogen peroxide—an ingredient found in many explosives—isn’t allowed on planes.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Some ski patrol members are even further specialized, intentionally triggering avalanches using explosives before resort areas open for the season to prevent avalanches from happening when skiers are present.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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