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 Large enough to hide thousands of people, the city was carved into soft volcanic rock (also known as tuff rock) beneath Cappadocia. — Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 The landscape is dry and largely treeless, with canyons and volcanic monoliths periodically interrupting the otherwise unending steppe. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The moraines formed by these glaciers are large, partly due to the highly erodible volcanic rock beneath the ice. — Andrew Fountain, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 The island’s volcanic soil, ample sunshine and arid climate add up to a distinctive wine grape. — Rick Steves, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 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
  • Government critics and human rights campaigners have alleged that police tactics in the last month have been unnecessarily violent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But complicating the government's efforts to bring the French deficit under control are widespread protests that have turned increasingly violent since starting as a Parisian student movement last month.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • Still, Saudi Arabia has viewed attendance at the event, and general support for the Gulf during turbulent times, as a loyalty test for global business leaders.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Zacharia’s time in China was just one of her career highlights that triggered intense media scrutiny following her brief and turbulent appointment as White House press secretary.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • After the initial blast, which spews out gamma rays, a storm of radiation pours into the surrounding galaxy, creating a ferocious afterglow that burns in every part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The characters thrust and parry with ferocious wit in an upscale California desert setting that scenic designer Scott Pask generically satirizes as a category of social living.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • His successor, Bennett, had been among its fiercest critics, raising the prospect that the arrangement might finally end.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The deadly fire erupted Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where fierce winds fueled flames that spread beyond the installation and into surrounding rural areas.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Before long there were three squad cars with lights flashing parked in the drive, with a furious Grandpa Joe trying to sort out the trouble.
    — Kerry Kennedy, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The conflicts are raw and unresolved, and Churchill forces theatergoers to make up their own minds about the characters’ furious dialect.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • Dallas got thoroughly embarrassed at home by a winless Buccaneers squad, surrendering 241 rushing yards and making an 0-4 offense look explosive.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Tackling has fallen off again The explosive plays aren’t just coming from big plays downfield.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosive

Browse Nearby Words

volatility
volcanic
volcano
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Cite this Entry

“Volcanic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volcanic. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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