explosive

adjective ex·plo·sive \ ik-ˈsplō-siv , -ziv \

Definition of explosive

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 ghetto situation

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explosively

adverb

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explosiveness

noun

See explosive defined for English-language learners

See explosive defined for kids

Examples of explosive in a Sentence

He has an explosive temper.
there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics

Recent Examples of explosive from the Web

Looking ahead: Something always seems to be going on in Washington, and none of it — aside for an explosive offense — seems to be much good for anything.

— george richards, miamiherald, "2017 NFC Preview: Atlanta Falcons look for Super Bowl redemption," 30 Aug. 2017
Trey Phills, who will be a junior, is another explosive guard and defender who came up big for Yale in spots last year.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Yale Men's Basketball: Strong Team With Strong Schedule To Match," 30 Aug. 2017
The fight, two years in the making, promises to be one of the most important matches in boxing’s history, with fans and followers expecting the hype of Mayweather-Pacquiao but with explosive results to back it up.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Alvarez-Golovkin ready for real fight," 29 Aug. 2017
Brossart has an explosive passing duo of QB Tyler MacDonald and WR Bryce Donnelly.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "What games to watch in Northern Kentucky, week 2," 29 Aug. 2017
Seymour on Friday night made a concerted effort to corral Jeffersonville’s explosive senior running back, Kam Fuller.

— kenzie winstead, The Courier-Journal, "'Sky's the limit' for Jeffersonville sophomore QB Shaun Wimberly," 28 Aug. 2017
Comment: Winston-Salem State’s defense and Bowie State’s explosive offense are expected to dominate.

— herb white, charlotteobserver, "J.C. Smith safety once led nation in interceptions: What’s next? ‘Trying to get more’," 26 Aug. 2017
Of course, no explosive or incendiary devices are allowed.

— barbara woolsey, CNT, "What Can I Pack in My Checked Luggage?," 21 Aug. 2017
Donna and Cameron remain deeply at odds this season, thanks to the explosive ending of Mutiny.

— laura bradley, HWD, "How Halt and Catch Fire Became the Most Human Drama on TV," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'explosive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of explosive

1696

explosive Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

light, moderate, soft

Related Words

accentuated, aggravated, concentrated, deepened; emphasized, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified; stressed; exhaustive, thorough; harsh, rigorous, severe

Near Antonyms

feeble, weak; shallow, superficial; moderated, qualified; alleviated, eased, lightened, toned (down); abated, decreased, diminished, lessened, reduced, subdued

explosive

noun

Definition of explosive

1 :an explosive substance

2 :a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation when it occurs in certain environments :stop

See explosive defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of explosive from the Web

Few states have regulations specific to the industry, though California, with its history of moviemaking, does prescribe what is allowed in stunts involving helicopters and explosives, for example.

— sophie haigney, New York Times, "Amid ‘Gung-Ho Mentality,’ Stunt Deaths Renew a Debate Over Safety," 29 Aug. 2017
Military explosives experts were deployed to Rotterdam to examine the van, police said.

— mike corder, The Seattle Times, "Dutch police detain driver of Spanish van near cancelled gig," 23 Aug. 2017
Military explosives experts were deployed to Rotterdam to examine the van, police said.

— Bloomberg.com, "Dutch Police Detain Driver of Spanish Van Near Cancelled Gig," 23 Aug. 2017
In January of 1997, just a few months before the tragic car crash that would take her life, Princess Diana stepped out onto an active minefield in Angola to learn how de-miners clear away explosives.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Why Princess Diana's Fight Against Landmines Was So Groundbreaking," 18 Aug. 2017
In this video by Youtuber Kaplamino, the magic of dominoes is combined with fire and explosives to make an excellent video.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "What's Better Than a Domino Run? Fire Dominoes.," 10 Aug. 2017
Police departments have bomb squads to handle any explosives that might be sitting around, and to help control the public chaos that would likely ensue.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "If a supervillain destroyed San Diego, how would you rebuild it?," 22 July 2017
So many were taken in that the department is considering weighing what is collected each year to help quantify how many fireworks are collected, Swoboda said All the confiscated explosives are given to the Kane County Bomb Squad for disposal.

— janelle walker, Elgin Courier-News, "Citations for illegal fireworks up this Fourth of July in Elgin," 6 July 2017
No explosives were discovered, according to police.

— dan campana, Aurora Beacon-News, "Bond reduced in fake bomb threat at Aurora hospital," 20 June 2017

First Known Use of explosive

1773

EXPLOSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

explosive

adjective

Definition of explosive for English Language Learners

: able to cause an explosion : used for exploding something
: relating to an explosion or caused by an explosion
: tending to get angry very easily

explosive

noun

Definition of explosive for English Language Learners

: a substance (such as dynamite) that is used to cause an explosion : an explosive substance

EXPLOSIVE Defined for Kids

explosive

adjective ex·plo·sive \ ik-ˈsplō-siv , -ziv \

Definition of explosive for Students

1 :able to cause explosion

the explosive power of gunpowder

2 :tending to show anger easily :likely to explode

an explosive temper

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explosively

adverb

explosive

noun

Definition of explosive for Students

:a substance that is used to cause an explosion

Learn More about explosive

See words that rhyme with explosive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for explosive Spanish Central: Translation of explosive Nglish: Translation of explosive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of explosive for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about explosive

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Examples of explosive in a Sentence

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explosive Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

explosive

Definition of explosive

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First Known Use of explosive

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EXPLOSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

explosive

Definition of explosive for English Language Learners

explosive

Definition of explosive for English Language Learners

EXPLOSIVE Defined for Kids

explosive

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explosively

explosive

Definition of explosive for Students

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