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
Patrick Smith, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
The film is visually and sonically explosive, and the scene with Jesse Plemons as a menacing soldier is unforgettable.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
With ranges of up to 15 kilometers (approximately nine miles) and flying at 100 kilometers an hour (approximately 62 miles per hour), the Russian drones are often equipped with grenades and improvised explosives.
—Maya Mehrara, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive 
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Adjective
In that notebook, he is alleged to have written about wanting to target a CEO at a conference with a gun and expressed that such a method was preferable to other means — like a bomb or some other explosive device — so others wouldn’t be harmed.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
The film is visually and sonically explosive, and the scene with Jesse Plemons as a menacing soldier is unforgettable.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
In the early 2000s, Ramsey said Litton had searched online for guns and explosives.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
With ranges of up to 15 kilometers (approximately nine miles) and flying at 100 kilometers an hour (approximately 62 miles per hour), the Russian drones are often equipped with grenades and improvised explosives.
—Maya Mehrara, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
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 17 Dec. 2024.
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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