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
Synonyms
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
Julian Palombo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
From his explosive debut on the presidential election trail in 2015, Donald Trump‘s career in national politics was uniquely entwined with internet culture.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Matt Allen, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
Just a mile from Gaza, Kfar Aza's houses were burned by explosives, riddled with bullet holes and reduced to rubble by tank shells.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explosive 
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Adjective
In fiscal 2024, more than $69 billion in two-way goods trade flowed through the cargo land port of entry, with the explosive expansion of large commercial building around the port on the U.S. side as a visible testimony to this dynamic.
—Julian Palombo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
From his explosive debut on the presidential election trail in 2015, Donald Trump‘s career in national politics was uniquely entwined with internet culture.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
Bond, Phillips’ current attorney, believes that if it can be proven that Ron Young was not responsible for building and setting off the explosive that killed Triano, prosecutors cannot connect Phillips to the murder.
—Matt Allen, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
Just a mile from Gaza, Kfar Aza's houses were burned by explosives, riddled with bullet holes and reduced to rubble by tank shells.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explosive
Dictionary Entries Near explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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