explosive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv How to pronounce explosive (audio)
-ziv
1
a
: relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion
an explosive hatch
b
: resulting from or as if from an explosion
explosive population growth
2
a
: tending to explode
an explosive person
b
: likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence
an explosive situation
explosively adverb
explosiveness noun

explosive

2 of 2

noun

1
: an explosive substance
2
: a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation when it occurs in certain environments : stop

Examples of explosive in a Sentence

Adjective He has an explosive temper. there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But the explosive growth of women’s basketball depends on more than one person. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 Related article SpaceX’s explosive test flight achieved key milestones. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Wilson Lau lost his job with the East Bay Regional Park District police after the explosive Oakland Police Department scandal came to light. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Nolan frets over a nihilist bomb (then fails to deliver an explosive money shot) yet refrains from detailing government paranoia that might be relevant to today’s spiritual exhaustion. Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 The team aimed to boost buyer requests by nearly 50 percent over the next quarter, demonstrating the kind of explosive growth that would make AllDone an attractive target for future VC funding rounds. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Mar. 2024 Farhan Jami, 29, of East Meadow, New York, flew to Ohio in May 2023 and brought thermite, an explosive powder, and sparklers with him on the flight, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 The influx of cooler temperatures and subdued winds is expected to arrive Monday morning and last through Tuesday, giving firefighters a reprieve from the critical fire risk conditions that have aided the wildfires’ explosive spread over the Texas Panhandle. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 An ‘adversarial’ relationship Already strained relations between the U.N. and Israel deteriorated significantly after Israel levied explosive allegations in January that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in the attacks on Oct. 7. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
Suddenly, a woman runs in waving an American flag, a backpack full of explosives strapped to her chest. Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The plentiful Soviet-era bombs, which carry up to a half-ton of explosives, have been fitted with wings and guidance systems to fly long distances with some accuracy — allowing the Russian jets that release them to operate away from Ukrainian antiaircraft systems. Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 The bomb contained 20 pounds of military-grade explosives and 5-millimeter ball bearings. James Powel, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 Carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives, the glide bombs can smash through the underground bunkers that protect soldiers at the front. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The shell carries 25 pounds of explosives at least 15 miles. David Axe, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Starting out as a producer, the Brit’s career has been nothing short of explosive. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2024 The open pit is a product of the removal of 351 million tons of material through the use of explosives. Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024 Thirty years before, federal agents in Waco confronted a cult called the Branch Davidians, whose members were stockpiling weapons and explosives in their compound. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explosive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of explosive was in 1696

Dictionary Entries Near explosive

Cite this Entry

“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

explosive

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv How to pronounce explosive (audio)
-ziv
1
: able to cause explosion
the explosive power of gunpowder
2
: likely to explode
an explosive temper
explosively adverb
explosiveness noun

explosive

2 of 2 noun
: an explosive substance

More from Merriam-Webster on explosive

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