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
Camille Behnke, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Behold, a plan to land an explosive wide receiver, make offensive line upgrades and sign new edge rushers to power the Pats back to the Super Bowl.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
His 10-yard split on the run was the best in the class, showing the explosive burst off the edge scouts love.
—American Statesman Staff, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
No further explosive devices have been found in the area, police said.
—Camille Behnke, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Behold, a plan to land an explosive wide receiver, make offensive line upgrades and sign new edge rushers to power the Pats back to the Super Bowl.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Advertisement Christine Adams Courtesy of Apple TV Lang gets off the train and, once at a safe distance, detonates the explosive.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
His 10-yard split on the run was the best in the class, showing the explosive burst off the edge scouts love.
—American Statesman Staff, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
The United States has pledged to keep the strait open and has led intense airstrikes targeting Iran's navy and the port city of Bandar Abbas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This intense demand is driving significant activity among niche data providers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Although the heat has everyone dealing with some degree of dampness, sweating is often a source of violent embarrassment for you.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In Send Help, now in theaters, Linda (Rachel McAdams) and her overbearing boss Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) survive a plane crash and become stranded on a deserted island, where their past office grievances become a violent fight for survival.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Harris has promised moderation and a focus on the district's problems, contrasting himself with Greene's bomb-throwing style.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
One bomb was thrown, but never detonated.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s bad news for Europe’s most energy-intensive industries, namely autos, chemicals and industrials, Klement said.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Energy-intensive industries—steel, aluminum, fertilizers, chemicals—would be among the first to feel the squeeze, as their production costs surge alongside fuel prices.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Knicks did a lot right in their first matchup of the year against the defending champs, from their defense on Gilgeous-Alexander to a trademark second half rally ushering in ferocious third- and fourth-quarter runs to bring the victory within arm’s distance.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His journey introduces him to ferocious beasts, a strange and wondrous land, and the beginnings of an unforgettable friendship.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to the Pentagon, this is the first time since World War II that an American submarine has sunk an enemy vessel using a torpedo.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo — Quiet Death.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But Ferrari, once Mercedes’ fiercest F1 rival before Red Bull took over in that role at the start of the 2020s, threatened to crash the party once the lights went out.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But the spring battles for starting jobs look fierce; Warren Roberson, Kade Phillips, Kobe Black and Wardell Mack join Mascoe as cornerbacks that could make a claim on a starting job while safeties Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Zelus Hicks each could use a strong spring to make their case.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Lady Tigers dominated the title game with a furious pace, forcing 14 Westlake turnovers, and left with a 51-37 victory at the Alamodome.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Labuschagne’s goal highlighted a furious opening to the match.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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