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

Adjective

• acute
• almighty
• blistering
• deep
• dreadful
• excruciating
• exquisite
• fearful
• fearsome
• ferocious
• fierce
• frightful
• furious
• ghastly
• hard
• heavy
• heavy-duty
• hellacious
• intense
• intensive
• keen
• profound
• terrible
• vehement
• vicious
• violent

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

Another explosive device turned up at the university’s technological institute about a year later. —Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

An explosive start gave way to an injury that sucked the wind out of the Grizzlies’ sails, allowing the Thunder to pull off a historic comeback. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Noun

While exact statistics are difficult to confirm, HALO, a nonprofit that clears landmines and explosives, estimates that about 340 people have been killed across Syria and another 500 wounded since the overthrow of the Assad regime. —Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

While Nakayama was in Vietnam, an explosive was put under a sergeant’s tent, killing the man, and three soldiers split the pot of money. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

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