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
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
Ammar’s explosive film is the result of 10 years of editing; the intensive autobiography intersects the history of Europe and the Middle East, and film history, too.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Lance Jimenez, a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, said the explosive was made from a 40-ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle and a silky designer handkerchief.
—Michael R. Sisak, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Not just to break an explosive play or make a spectacular haul.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
Ammar’s explosive film is the result of 10 years of editing; the intensive autobiography intersects the history of Europe and the Middle East, and film history, too.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
Noun
Soliman is also facing felony charges for using explosives or incendiary devices, first-degree assault, and causing serious injury to the elderly, but prosecutors may decide on different charges.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Lance Jimenez, a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, said the explosive was made from a 40-ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle and a silky designer handkerchief.
—Michael R. Sisak, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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Recognizing that gulf is a sad thing for her, and Huston holds Anderson’s intense close-ups with an expression both loving and rueful at once. 40.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
-
The faction's power grew with the shocking debut of Jacob Fatu, another member of the Anoa'i family known for his intense and destructive style in other promotions.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Noni finds herself up against Lion’s violent henchmen and women in series of fight-to-the-death encounters aboard the tyrant’s grandiose sailing ship, which lies at the heart of a vast naval fleet.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
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The protests had been largely peaceful throughout Friday and Saturday, with isolated instances of violent activity.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Time has since passed this flavor by, and the explosion of crunchy health elixirs and proper caffeine bombs leaves this relic of the Clinton era in the dust.—
Pete Cottell,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
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Elon Musk escalates feud with Trump: 'Time to drop the really big bomb' Among the other top DOGE employees to follow were Steve Davis, Musk's top lieutenant who oversaw DOGE's day-to-day operations, publicist Katie Miller and DOGE's top attorney James Burnham.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Russia used a Tu-160 in intensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Friday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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University of Southern California LOS ANGELES Inspired by Walt Disney artist and Imagineer John C. Hench, USC’s intensive BFA and MFA programs teach animation from a maker’s point of view.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
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But its domination has already been raked by the torpedoes from another threat.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Austin Wells homered later in the inning, and the Yankees ultimately won, 20-9, while clubbing a franchise-record nine home runs with a lineup full of torpedo bats.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Meta’s big bet on Wang fits into CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to bolster his company’s AI efforts amid fierce competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
-
Sanders’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), is a fierce Trump critic.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The capsizing was believed to have been caused by turbulent waters from heavy recent rains.—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
-
In these turbulent times learning how to manage disputes is a must.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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