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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Featuring artists and music from across the Indian diaspora, Billboard India will cover the full spectrum of the country’s music ecosystem, including the dominance of film soundtracks, the explosive rise of independent artists, and the country’s global impact on streaming charts and numbers.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
About 10 minutes afterward, prosecutors said Williams texted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials to warn about the bomb threat, suggesting the explosive was possibly in the city hall rotunda.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
The Lions now rank 16th in explosive play rate, after ranking second a year ago.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Featuring artists and music from across the Indian diaspora, Billboard India will cover the full spectrum of the country’s music ecosystem, including the dominance of film soundtracks, the explosive rise of independent artists, and the country’s global impact on streaming charts and numbers.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
The affidavit said Geri then threatened to test an explosive in the street.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
About 10 minutes afterward, prosecutors said Williams texted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials to warn about the bomb threat, suggesting the explosive was possibly in the city hall rotunda.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 7 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
-
Rising number of violent incidents, 911 calls But reducing the inmate population did not solve the problem with drugs and violence.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
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After Maggie and Paul were shot to death on June 7, 2021, Alex was found guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, earning two consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
At issue here, amid the domestic peace, is not only what makes people tick but, thanks to Hopkins, whether the ticking is that of a well-wound clock or an unexploded bomb.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Thousands of satellites with interceptors on them to knock down incoming Russian or Chinese missiles, with nuclear bombs on them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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His label pioneered the industry’s intensive training system, recruiting performers as young as elementary school age and putting them through years of rigorous preparation.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
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Though similarly intensive, Leni's look provided a stark contrast to mom Heidi’s costume, which leaned more spooky than cute — and took inspiration from an older tale.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
1 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 torpedo reportedly operates at high speeds (up to 54 knots) and can reach depths of 1,000 meters, as detailed by national security analyst Steve Balestrieri in the National Security Journal.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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Originally designed for line-of-battle engagements, Fusō underwent major refits in the 1930s, gaining improved armor, torpedo bulges, and a speed of roughly 24 knots.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Yet plans to expand America’s lab-monkey stockpile have been met with fierce opposition.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Within minutes, we were deluged in an avalanche of furious comments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This meek performance prompted a furious reaction from the fanbase.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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