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

Anyone found with a copy of the explosive novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was subject to arrest. —Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Anthropic has experienced explosive growth this year, announcing in May that its revenue run rate had ballooned to $47 billion, up from $10 billion in revenue in 2025. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Noun

Prosecutors allege more than 11 million pounds of explosives were brought onto the property over a decade, with approximately 1 million pounds stored there when the explosion occurred. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 June 2026

The suspect also said explosives had been attached to some of the hostages, which law enforcement was able to confirm based on its own observations. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 3 June 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