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
Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
This explosive strengthening is happening more often as the world warms due to fossil fuel pollution.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Chris Boccia, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
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Adjective
Pittsburgh has allowed an explosive play (a 16-yard catch or 12-yard run) on 13 percent of its defensive snaps this season, third-highest in the NFL.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
This explosive strengthening is happening more often as the world warms due to fossil fuel pollution.
—Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
Still, a rejection of nuclear explosives has taken hold as a norm.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 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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