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 luxury of doing less Arriving on the largest island in the Grenadine archipelago, one that was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, Sandals Saint Vincent is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio. — Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Because of its volcanic origin, the Warner mountain range in Modoc National Forest is a trove of obsidian, drawing geologists and rockhounds from around the world. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 His death comes after a week of volcanic activity that sent ash high into the air, disrupted flights across Sicily and prompted officials to restrict access to parts of the volcano. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 18 Aug. 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
  • Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • New documents presented Thursday also illustrate a history of allegations of racist and violent behavior by Austin Metcalf and his twin brother, Hunter, among the character evidence that was not presented at the trial.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of violent
Adjective
  • Royal historian Amanda Foreman told PEOPLE in December 2025 that the turbulent few years made Kate and William more connected.
    — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Palace’s squad always had a spine which included strong personalities or those who knew the club and had experience to guide them through turbulent times and new starts.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • After surviving a ferocious first half to trail only 13-12, the All Blacks' resolve hardened by new coach Dave Rennie and age-old ability to produce something from nothing turned a tense contest into a rout by five tries to South Africa's one.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • One track consists of her ferocious, transfixing, concept works, which plunge the gathered into the heart and soul of extreme historical and cultural experiences.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • The woman across from me had pale skin and fierce blue eyes behind thick glasses.
    — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Inter got off to a great start when a fierce long-range shot from Hakan Çalhanoğlu gave it the lead in the sixth minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • The failure by American and Canadian trade negotiators to reach a deal came after nearly two weeks of furious talks.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Zayn was interrupted by Randy Orton, who was then interrupted by a furious Cody Rhodes already in the ring.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of furious
Adjective
  • The footage mixes high-speed chases and explosive action with comedic beats, framing a story built around chaos, mismatched heroism and rising stakes as the mission unfolds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The rift widened in the wake of the couple’s explosive sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix docuseries and Harry’s tell-all memoir.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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