explosive

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv 

-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

Synonyms

Adjective

• acute
• almighty
• blistering
• deep
• dreadful
• excruciating
• exquisite
• fearful
• fearsome
• ferocious
• fierce
• frightful
• furious
• ghastly
• hard
• heavy
• heavy-duty
• hellacious
• intense
• intensive
• keen
• profound
• terrible
• vehement
• vicious
• violent

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

The issue is before the red area: Georgia has given up a lot more explosive plays than in past years. —Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, the future of the franchise remains unclear following the explosive season 14 finale of RHONJ. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Noun

That plant was sanctioned by the US in 2023 and makes explosives and ammunition used by the Russian military in Ukraine. —George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 Dec. 2024

The airport police bomb squad also responded and confiscated the explosives. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing explosive

• high explosive
• plastic explosive

Kids Definition

explosive

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​plo·​sive ik-ˈsplō-siv 

-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