high explosive

noun

: an explosive (such as TNT) that generates gas with extreme rapidity and has a shattering effect

Examples of high explosive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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One particularly effective advance was Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), where the tank's hull is covered with steel boxes filled with high explosives. David Szondy may 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2026 Burning oil and high explosives can also emit volatile organic compounds, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter that pose broader environmental and public health risks. Chris Hamill-Stewart, Wired News, 27 Apr. 2026 And Israel, while boasting of inflicting heavy damage on Iran’s missile program and other military targets, continues to be targeted by increasingly sophisticated Iranian missiles that send a buckshot-like bouquet of high explosives raining down on its cities. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2026 The warheads were each propelled by 1,000 pounds of high explosives. Nicole Young, CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high explosive

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high explosive was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“High explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20explosive. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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