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
Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Officers arrested him and accused the suspect of placing a device consisting of two bottles of flammable liquid secured with adhesive tape and 650 grams of explosive powder.
—Chase Jordan
march 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Holly Williams, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
It was initially thought to be a curiosity, a firework or a special effect, until Song-dynasty arms dealers started using it to make fire arrows and other military explosives.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
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Adjective
The man who crashed an explosive-laden truck into a Michigan synagogue where scores of children were at daycare acted as an operative of Hezbollah, the foreign terrorist organization based in Lebanon, federal officials said March 30.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Officers arrested him and accused the suspect of placing a device consisting of two bottles of flammable liquid secured with adhesive tape and 650 grams of explosive powder.
—Chase Jordan
march 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
Ukraine has also developed sea drones, including a model called Sea Baby, which can carry around 4,400 pounds of explosives, an operator told 60 Minutes.
—Holly Williams, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
It was initially thought to be a curiosity, a firework or a special effect, until Song-dynasty arms dealers started using it to make fire arrows and other military explosives.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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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