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 mentor Steffen’s 6-foot-3 frame and increasingly explosive athleticism are nothing to scoff at, but his superpower isn’t necessarily physical. —Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, the Americans stifled the explosive Canada offense by limiting the Canadians to 26 shots. —Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025

Noun

The ins and outs of the women’s feelings, sometimes quite similar, always loaded with explosives, might lead them to pull themselves and one another out of the defective, painful mess. —The Know, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025

Emi Jay’s trajectory so far is nothing short of explosive. —Karin Eldor, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025

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