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
Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
That internal shift can make conflict feel less explosive and more constructive.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Eight airports in different states appeared to have dropped the requirement, in place since 2006 after a British man in 2001 attempted to destroy an airliner with explosives hidden in a shoe.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
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Adjective
That three-month period was pivotal in the explosion of The Beatles and the images, organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London, give viewers a chance to experience the band's explosive rise to fame through McCartney's lens.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
That internal shift can make conflict feel less explosive and more constructive.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
The machines are capable of detecting not just metal but also ceramics, plastics, liquids, and explosives, from head to toe.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Eight airports in different states appeared to have dropped the requirement, in place since 2006 after a British man in 2001 attempted to destroy an airliner with explosives hidden in a shoe.
—semafor.com, 8 July 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 22 Jul. 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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