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

With growing cases of explosive diarrhea around the country, restaurants have had to make some changes. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni One of the most explosive Hollywood feuds in recent memory erupted on the set of It Ends With Us, the hit adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Noun

They are designed to perform a wide variety of missions and were likely equipped with explosives for this specific strike. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

Engineers reportedly created room for the additional explosives by reducing fuel capacity, creating a need for a more efficient propulsion system to preserve range and flight performance. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 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