dynamite

1 of 3

noun

dy·​na·​mite ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt 

1

: an explosive that is made of nitroglycerin absorbed in a porous material and that often contains ammonium nitrate or cellulose nitrate

also : an explosive (such as a mixture of ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose) that contains no nitroglycerin

2

: one that has a powerful effect

an actress who's dynamite at the box office

also : something that has great potential to cause trouble or conflict

an issue regarded as political dynamite

dynamitic

ˌdī-nə-ˈmi-tik 

adjective

dynamite

2 of 3

verb

dynamited; dynamiting

transitive verb

1

: to blow up with dynamite

2

: to cause the failure or destruction of

dynamiter noun

dynamite

3 of 3

adjective

: terrific, wonderful

a dynamite performance

Synonyms of dynamite

Adjective

• excellent
• terrific
• great
• superb
• awesome
• wonderful
• fantastic
• fabulous
• lovely
• beautiful
• prime
• stellar
• marvelous
• fine
• hot
• classic

Examples of dynamite in a Sentence

Noun

The death penalty is political dynamite.

Verb

They plan to dynamite the old building.

Adjective

They put on a dynamite performance.

a summer blockbuster that features some really dynamite special effects

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On that Sunday morning, members of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group, planted dynamite on the east side of the brown brick building. — Jason Wollschleger, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

The large-scale equipment, boats, campsites were lit ablaze or rigged with dynamite and detonated by the officials. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

From fish oil to dynamite Prior to the demand for sardines for chemical manufacturing, sardine oil had long been a byproduct of processing the fish into fertilizer. — Pei-Hsu Lin, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

Finally, Hollywood has learned how to channel and dynamite the Gen Z crowd. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 June 2026

Adjective

But Bernard’s move is a gambit, meant to create a distraction while the Mechanical guerrillas set off dynamite charges in the mines, for reasons as yet unrevealed. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

However, according to the report, violence is increasing in museum thefts, with thieves using instruments such as dynamite, guns, and sledgehammers to gain access to treasures and deter employees from interfering. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek dýnamis "power, strength" + -ite entry 1 — more at dynamic entry 1

Note: Though the principal figure in the development of dynamite, Alfred nobel, was Swedish, the earliest patent for the substance (May, 1867) was filed in the United Kingdom, so the word was effectively first introduced in English rather than in Swedish or German.

Verb

derivative of dynamite entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of dynamite entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dynamite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

dynamite

1 of 2 noun

dy·​na·​mite ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt 

: an explosive that is made chiefly of nitroglycerin absorbed in another substance

also : an explosive that contains no nitroglycerin

dynamite

2 of 2 verb

dynamited; dynamiting

: to blow up with dynamite

dynamiter noun