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
Relevance
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
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
The war in Ukraine has consumed so much TNT that there is a global shortage of the explosive.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2025
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Trump’s removal of Siebert, a member of one of Virginia’s most prominent Republican legal families, is widely seen as a direct response to Siebert’s reluctance to pursue politically explosive charges against James without more substantial evidence.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Prevent explosive plays on defense.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
The war in Ukraine has consumed so much TNT that there is a global shortage of the explosive.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Being that these are two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL to start the new year, it was expected to be a shootout at M&T Bank Stadium, and that’s exactly what football fans got from the Ravens and Lions.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Trump’s removal of Siebert, a member of one of Virginia’s most prominent Republican legal families, is widely seen as a direct response to Siebert’s reluctance to pursue politically explosive charges against James without more substantial evidence.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
Watching the Ryder Cup at an open-air golf course presents a whole different challenge, and attendees were warned to be ready for an intense security operation on Friday.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In aviation, iridium-tipped electrodes are used in high-performance spark plugs, providing longer service life and reliable ignition under intense conditions.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Brown is particularly known for his roles in violent abolitionist efforts in the Pottawatamie Massacre and the raid on Harpers Ferry, a federal arsenal in West Virginia.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The 2024 election campaign was Mexico’s most violent in modern history, with more than three dozen candidates assassinated and many others dropping out over threats to their safety.—
Daniel DePetris,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Here, in the middle of the descending theater floor and surrounded by an intimate circle of seated spectators, Jelinek manipulated the high, rounded pitches of a modular synthesizer to resemble the whistle of a dropping bomb.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Then Bufford followed with a three-run bomb to put the Ballers up 8-0.—
Devin Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Poore pivoted to other ventures to make ends meet after the storm struck, including trail clearing, trail education and intensive workshops on trail maintenance.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Dumplings can be time (and labor) intensive to prepare.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But now Minnesota has another veteran QB in Carson Wentz to pair with its ferocious defense.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
-
There have been fewer, but more ferocious hurricanes.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Director Edward Berger designed the experience to evoke visceral tension: rain droplets, torpedo corridors, and claustrophobic realism blur the line between viewer and scene.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Newport News is additionally equipped with advanced sonar to support surveillance as well as Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Mark 48 torpedoes for potential interdiction of surface ships.—
Amir Daftari
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The global war for tech talent, especially AI talent, is already fierce, with some of the biggest companies offering all-star athlete-level salaries for the most desirable candidates, leaving startups struggling to recruit and hold onto talented staff.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
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In mythology, Mars is the god of war, known for its fierce and combative nature, and this is no exception in astrology.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
During the suspension, Fallon, host of NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, commented publicly on the turbulent climate for late-night hosts.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The lyrics, rooted in his own experiences and the turbulent reality of the Civil Rights Movement, spoke to a collective longing for justice and a belief that progress—though slow—was inevitable.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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