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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2026
Bigger display fireworks, such as salutes that contain two grains – 130 milligrams – of explosive materials and professional-grade aerial shells with more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, can't be purchased for recreational use.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
As the two focus on healing, local and state authorities are investigating the incident and the nature of the explosive.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
The supermodel and former ANTM host participated in and provided an interview for the streaming service’s explosive docuseries.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2026
Bigger display fireworks, such as salutes that contain two grains – 130 milligrams – of explosive materials and professional-grade aerial shells with more than 60 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, can't be purchased for recreational use.
—Finch Walker, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Noun
Casting sexy, hunky Sharpe as Mozart — quite in contrast to the movie’s Tom Hulce, with his Harpo Marx energy and strange explosive giggle — signals that this is meant to be a Serious Take on the material.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
As the two focus on healing, local and state authorities are investigating the incident and the nature of the explosive.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
-
Within the hour, all firefighters were called off the roof and out of the building because of the danger posed by the intense flames and the ammonia leak.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
The scenes echoed earlier playoff celebrations, including a massive watch-party gathering of roughly 7,000 people in Bryant Park during Game 2 that turned violent and destructive, according to a law enforcement official.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Maclean’s work traffics in deep fakes and glitch aesthetics, rainbow cuteness and the tropes of pulp—but these are set against violent dystopias and a world of cruelties borne, especially, by women (see her 2018 video Make Me Up as an example).—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the series, Hart is joined by a circle of comedy heavyweights who help decide which comics advance, offering a behind-the-curtain look at the pressure, triumphs, and occasional bombs that define a stand-up career.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
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When the trailer came out, the scene of Louis and Lestat bickering went off like a bomb within the fandom.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s nothing like an invasive hours-long aesthetic procedure with anesthesia to justify intensive pampering.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
-
Governments and energy-intensive firms will look at electrification with newfound interest.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
So playing characters who were so ferocious and bold and confident and determined and all that helped me profoundly in my personal life.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber.—
Scott Bauer,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Built like torpedoes, steelhead are tremendously powerful and acrobatic fighters.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
-
The Bug, designed for the U.S. Army during World War I, was an experimental pilotless aerial torpedo made of wood and papier-mâché that launched from a four-wheeled dolly that ran down a portable track.—
Randy Tucker,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Publishers must also navigate changing consumer behavior, rising shipping costs and a fierce attention economy.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
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The thing everyone, from the NCAA’s fiercest critics to its most loyal defenders, understood had to remain nonnegotiable.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
The roaring bassline slithers beneath a wavering flute note before the floor gives out, and the song begins its fast and furious descent.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
12 June 2026
-
Wildlife advocates are furious.—
Ted Williams,
Denver Post,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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