explosive

noun

Synonyms of explosivenext
1
: an explosive substance
2
: a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation when it occurs in certain environments : stop

Examples of explosive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Prosecutors allege more than 11 million pounds of explosives were brought onto the property over a decade, with approximately 1 million pounds stored there when the explosion occurred. Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 June 2026 The suspect also said explosives had been attached to some of the hostages, which law enforcement was able to confirm based on its own observations. Dennis Romero, NBC news, 3 June 2026 Speaking at the Security Council, Ţoiu said a drone carrying explosives violated Romanian airspace for approximately four minutes before crashing into the 10th floor of a residential building, injuring a mother and child. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 Sacramento County sheriff’s and FBI bomb technicians disposed and tested the explosive. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for explosive

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of explosive was in 1773

Cite this Entry

“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

explosive

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv How to pronounce explosive (audio)
-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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