Synonyms of explosive

explosive 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsplō-siv 

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

• intense
• intensive
• ferocious
• fierce
• deep
• terrible
• violent
• heavy
• furious
• profound
• acute
• vicious
• blistering
• exquisite
• fearful
• fearsome
• dreadful
• vehement
• ghastly
• frightful
• excruciating
• heavy-duty
• hard
• intensified
• keen
• hellacious
• heightened
• almighty
• concentrated
• aggravated
• harsh
• enhanced
• severe
• exhaustive
• magnified
• thorough
• stressed
• accentuated
• deepened
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• moderate
• soft
• weak
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• decreased
• moderated
• toned (down)
• eased
• subdued
• reduced
• diminished
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

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

• violent
• ferocious
• turbulent
• fierce
• furious
• volcanic
• rabid
• rough
• vicious
• hot
• brutal
• convulsive
• tumultuous
• cyclonic
• aggressive
• paroxysmal
• volatile
• tempestuous
• stormy
• savage
• blood-and-guts
• bang-bang
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• destructive
• hammer-and-tongs
• knock-down, drag-out
• hostile
• combustible
• contentious
• antagonistic
• frantic
• combative
• barbarous
• belligerent
• mad
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• cataclysmic
• assertive
• frenzied
• gladiatorial
• agitated
• truculent
• quarrelsome
• ruinous
• cataclysmal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• nonviolent
• peaceable
• calm
• serene
• tranquil
• pacific
• halcyon
• unaggressive
• nonbelligerent

explosive

2 of 2

noun

as in bomb

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bomb
• torpedo
• hazard
• snare
• pitfall
• trap
• web
• claymore mine
• land mine
• ambush
• mine
• net
• booby trap

Examples of explosive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The settlement, announced Tuesday, marked the end of an explosive saga that shed light on the murky, often unregulated world of child social media stars making large sums of money online. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024

This explosive eight-episode season will launch with two episodes, followed by weekly releases every Thursday. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 10 Oct. 2024

Noun

So, the commandos raided the facility, planting explosives to destroy the equipment used to manufacture Hezbollah missile components. —Paul Iddon, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Earlier this month, thousands of explosives hidden in pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah detonated, killing dozens of people and maiming thousands, including many civilians. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 29 Sep. 2024