volcanic

adjective

väl-ˈka-nik How to pronounce volcanic (audio)
Definition of volcanicnext
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity a man with a volcanic temper that could go off at any moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 volcanic The infamous explosion covered Pompeii and Herculaneum in volcanic debris, immortalizing the final moments of the ancient Roman cities and some of their unfortunate inhabitants in stunning detail. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 There is also a serious wine cellar with 300 labels, including local volcanic wines Greco di Tufo and Biancolella from Ischia. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 This pick combines the best of both worlds with a blend of AHA, BHA, and polyhydroxy acid (PHA), plus super-fine volcanic pumice suspended in a satiny gel. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026 The team plans a 3,000-meter scientific drilling project to examine the mineralization system and deeper resources beneath the continental volcanic basin. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for volcanic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volcanic
  1. violent
  2. turbulent
  3. ferocious
  4. fierce
  5. furious
  6. explosive
Adjective
  • Despite the increasingly violent grand guignol on show, there’s actually a lot of nuance here, in its discussion not just of loneliness but the transactional nature of modern relationships.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
  • His more than 32-year law enforcement career has included leadership assignments in violent crimes, patrol and special investigations, and homicide and robbery investigations.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • His re-election came on the back of a turbulent few years, ones where Barca’s finances were as much a story as their football.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The new play follows the fortunes of a wealthy but troubled clan through a turbulent period in Nigeria’s recent history.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Giamatti makes Jerry ferocious but not monstruous, a man who certainly likes barking orders at various underlings but loves making good theater even more.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Up to this point, Ghostface victims have been stabbed with Buck 120 hunting knives, crushed by garage doors, shot, electrocuted, and thrown off rooftops in ferocious, balls-to-the-wall Scream fashion.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns BNSF, and the railroad is a fierce critic of Vena’s takeover bid for Norfolk Southern.
    — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Aaron Donald, one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams in hopes of winning another Super Bowl title.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • The Lindsay Clancy trial has captivated the nation, spurring furious online debate on the state of maternal healthcare and whether she should be held criminally responsible for killing her three children.
    — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Simply put, the SEC is furious that LSU has challenged the conference’s attempts to enforce its eligibility rules for athletes returning from professional sports.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • If Monken creates an offense that’s greatly improved and at least occasionally explosive, maybe the Browns can overachieve.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The complaint filed last week in Southern California is the first legal action since the explosive allegations surrounding Chavez were first reported by the New York Times in March.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosive

Browse Nearby Words

volatility
volcanic
volcano
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Volcanic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volcanic. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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