1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
one of the most explosive storms to hit that area of the coast in some time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Create explosive runs and turnovers, easier said than done, yes.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
The affidavit said Geri then threatened to test an explosive in the street.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
On the field, Ole Miss has an explosive offense that Miami will be hard-pressed to slow down.
—Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Create explosive runs and turnovers, easier said than done, yes.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Here was a guy—and here, too, was a filmmaker—who knew how to handle an explosive.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
The affidavit said Geri then threatened to test an explosive in the street.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
Gas and dust fall into a rotating disk around the black hole, and as the debris spirals more rapidly, it becomes superheated, releasing intense radiation.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
True Ipomea batatas has bright orange flesh (although modern varieties have much more intense colors than older forms), occasionally white and rarely purple.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Safavi said the blackout coincided with violent confrontations in several regions.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Parallel societies in certain urban areas and rising violent crime statistics linked to some migrant cohorts in countries such as Sweden and Germany led to the dramatic rise of populist and patriotic parties across the continent, from France to Italy to the Netherlands.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When Russian aircraft carrier bombs thwart their plans to seek a more undisturbed area, Russian soldiers start to seek out their bunker.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Rather, many Iranians instead blamed the leadership for either provoking the conflict or failing to meaningfully defend the country from Israeli – or American – bombs.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Between 2022 and 2023, a team from Arkeologerna conducted an intensive investigation in the southernmost area of the former city.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The orbiters are expected to linger in a holding pattern before heading for Mars next year when the red planet is better aligned for a less fuel-intensive journey.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Just a big ferocious ball of meat, claws, and teeth.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Though the storm did not make a direct hit on Haiti, its ferocious rains caused rivers to flood and jump their banks.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The autonomous submarine then moved further into the sea before launching the torpedo.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin has given state awards to the developers of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater torpedo, the latest signal in what analysts have cast as efforts by the Kremlin to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Some nearby residents, including Sue Weston — the owner of Weston Gardens in Bloom, a historic garden located on Anglin Drive — have expressed fierce opposition to the data center.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
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Last year, the governor tried to increase the number of in-office days to four only to face fierce resistance from his employees and their labor representatives.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Anaheim had a furious rally in the third, outshooting Washington 17-5.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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For at that very moment, the barn door swung open, and snow swept up in a furious fashion.—
Lauren Ashley Bishop,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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