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
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
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
A long time ago Rounding out a cluster of cosmic research, new calculations suggest the explosive death of stars, otherwise called supernovas, may have caused two of Earth’s largest mass extinction events.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
The device weighs in at a whopping 500 kilograms (1,100 lbs), of which 200 kilograms (440 lbs) are explosives.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
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Adjective
The wine exhibits explosive aromas of citrus, passion fruit, herbs, and cut grass on the nose.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
A long time ago Rounding out a cluster of cosmic research, new calculations suggest the explosive death of stars, otherwise called supernovas, may have caused two of Earth’s largest mass extinction events.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
At the scene, officers were told the suspect made threats of having firearms and explosives in his vehicle, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
The device weighs in at a whopping 500 kilograms (1,100 lbs), of which 200 kilograms (440 lbs) are explosives.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 30 Mar. 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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