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
• beautiful
• lovely
• 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

With that size and speed, Gray calculates, its impact will release a blast equal to 15,000 sticks of dynamite—or three tons. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

Orlando’s current 9-story City Hall was opened in 1992 – and soon after, footage of the dynamite-demolition of the old municipal headquarters was used in the opening scene of the Mel Gibson blockbuster Lethal Weapon 3. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Verb

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

These live versions dynamite that meditative hollow or expand it to the size of a megachurch. — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026

Adjective

No fanfare had attended its completion near what is now Santa Clarita in 1926, the better to avoid attention from Owens Valley vigilantes, who were known to dynamite aqueduct pipes as protest against the diversion of their river water. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Without the right agentic guardrails, leaders are essentially giving toddlers dynamite. — Rick Vanover, Forbes.com, 6 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