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
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
Houston Texans: Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota More explosive than fast, Jackson plays much bigger than his 5-10, 193-pound frame.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2025
Over 10 million anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines and other explosives may have been scattered across Cambodia's land during the decades of fighting.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Having enough space is crucial when doing exercises such as box jumps, plyometric push ups, and other explosive workouts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
Houston Texans: Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota More explosive than fast, Jackson plays much bigger than his 5-10, 193-pound frame.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
According to authorities, the group sought to radicalize and recruit teens to carry out attacks using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2025
Over 10 million anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines and other explosives may have been scattered across Cambodia's land during the decades of fighting.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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That evening, there was intense fighting between the Army and the R.S.F, but Wanis slipped outside anyway.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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Losing someone the caliber of Soto’s track record stung the Yankees and certainly their fans based on the reaction of an intense Subway Series.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
16 May 2025
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Combs apologized for his violent behavior soon after the video's release.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Noun
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During the church service, a Sudanese-government plane dropped bombs nearby.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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An effort to extend the life of the B61 nuclear bomb also faced significant delays and saw costs more than double – to the tune of an additional $4 billion.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Ryan Murphy has found his Kennedys after an intensive casting search for the first installment of his new FX anthology series, American Love Story.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The crisis is in plain view and the wind is ferocious.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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His Hozier cover was at turns strategic and nuanced, then unleashed and ferocious.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
Noun
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Fried’s first start was rocky but mostly because the Yankees committed five errors behind him and the defensive miscues were overshadowed by the nine homers in a 20-9 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers that was the precursor to the extensive torpedo bat discussion that even made network news.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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On March 29, the day the Yankees stirred the baseball world into a torpedo bat frenzy, Aaron Judge hit three homers in the first four innings.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
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Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
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The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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