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
CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
As the lava advanced, the volcano erupted in a series of rare explosive bursts at the time.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
The first device, which landed on the crosswalk, appears to have been made with TATP, an extraordinarily powerful and unstable explosive that’s easy to obtain, multiple law enforcement officials told CNN, citing preliminary inspection results.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Halsema said police have CCTV footage of a person placing the explosive device.
—CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
As the lava advanced, the volcano erupted in a series of rare explosive bursts at the time.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
At least one of the devices contained a dangerous and highly volatile homemade explosive.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
The first device, which landed on the crosswalk, appears to have been made with TATP, an extraordinarily powerful and unstable explosive that’s easy to obtain, multiple law enforcement officials told CNN, citing preliminary inspection results.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
The strike caused an intense fire at the hospital, with footage from local television showing rescue crews combing through the wreckage with flashlights late into the night as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
However, the constant tension on my hair can have my curls feeling dry and in need of intense moisture.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The death of a star is usually thought to be a violent and hostile place, filled with scorching radiation that destroys fragile molecules.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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Last year, the county sued NaphCare for its alleged role in the death of Brandon Yates, who was murdered in the Central Jail in 2024 after being wrongly placed into a cell with a violent offender.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is a bomb-first-strategize-later mentality.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But no studio wants to be associated with a string of bombs.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Experts say the unique geology of California’s fields, and the nature of its heavy crude, make new projects, and efforts to pump more oil out of existing ones, costlier and more energy-intensive than drilling in other parts of the country.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Still, the food supply chain is incredibly energy-intensive, with high sums of energy required at each stage of the process.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Anyone who has defied the regime before has risked their life to do so, and – despite being at the mercy of the most ferocious military machine on the face of the planet – the regime might yet survive.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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American Nathan Martin, a 36-year-old high school cross-country coach from Jackson, Michigan, ran 2 hours, 11 minutes and 16 seconds (five minutes per mile) to claim victory with a ferocious kick that came down to his final stride.—
John Davis,
Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
American torpedoes sank a hostile enemy vessel for the first time since World War II.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Unlike missiles or torpedoes, mines don’t need to be aimed.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The steep fee, enacted in 2015 due to surging demand among American expatriates seeking to avoid new tax reporting requirements, faced fierce opposition.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
No single line embodies both the overflowing kindness and fierce competence of small-town Brainerd's chief of police, Marge Gunderson.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hensley made 23 saves and the Frost held off a furious rally from the New York Sirens to win 4-3 in front of 15,512 fans — another statement of intent for this city and its hope to land a professional women’s hockey team in the near future.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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The triple gave the Mavericks a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter and sent fans at Rocket Arena into a furious rage.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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