explosive 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsplō-siv How to pronounce explosive (audio)
Definition of explosivenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

explosive

2 of 2

noun

as in bomb

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of explosive
Adjective
August brings the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, known for its plentiful shooting stars and explosive fireballs. — Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026 The situation with my national and international fame is explosive and really unimaginable. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 July 2026
Noun
Sigcho-Lopez ward office released an image of an SUV’s license plate number in a social media post, claiming the explosive was a bomb, set off by one of two men who arrived in an SUV. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 Around you, hundreds of bags move through security systems designed to detect explosives, weapons and other dangerous items. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
  1. intense
  2. violent
  3. bomb
  4. intensive
  5. ferocious
  6. torpedo
  7. fierce
  8. furious
Adjective
  • His plan, scheduled for a vote at the Beach commission on Wednesday after two years of often-intense debate and revision, comes in the prosaic form of a technical zoning change.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Criticism from the political left was, predictably, swift and intense.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Firefighters in Spain admitted the fires were so fast and violent that they could not be tackled head on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Because of his previous felonies, though none for violent crimes, Pfister could now be defined as a habitual offender under Michigan law and faces prison.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of violent
Noun
  • In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian glide bomb killed one man and wounded at least six other people, according to mayor Ivan Fedorov.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • Rather than dropping like a bomb with a ton of fanfare, Widow’s Bay premiered as a kind of curiosity.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026
Definition of bomb
Adjective
  • The Warrior-Scholar Project is a STEM intensive founded in 2012 at Yale and has served nearly 3,000 veterans, challenging them with up to 75 hours of academic work.
    — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • The company believes those products could support several parts of the defense manufacturing chain, particularly facilities involved in shipbuilding, advanced materials production and energy-intensive industrial operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • Emergency crews are still scrambling to contain ferocious blazes in Spain and France, where authorities have warned wildfires could burn for several months before they are fully extinguished.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • One is among the most ferocious forces in the sport, a bona fide ace who is must-see TV.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of ferocious
Noun
  • Its Virginia Payload Module gives it a large and well-defined cruise-missile capacity, while its torpedo tubes can launch Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • The company makes radar and electronic warfare systems, as well as torpedo defense countermeasures.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of torpedo
Adjective
  • This video shows firefighters battling fierce flames ripping through vegetation, propelled, in part, by strong gusts of wind.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Liverpool were trailing 2-1 early in the second half when the midfielder chested the ball down just outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike past Melker Ellborg.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Prince William is reportedly very upset by these reports, with the National Examiner reporting that William is furious about Harry and Meghan’s reported desire to collaborate with Netflix on a documentary.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026
  • Her father, furious over her job and gender identity, kicked her out.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

explosions
explosive
explosively
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Cite this Entry

“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on explosive

Nglish: Translation of explosive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about explosive

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