high explosive

noun

: an explosive (such as TNT) that generates gas with extreme rapidity and has a shattering effect

Examples of high explosive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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And Israel, while boasting of inflicting heavy damage on Iran’s missile program and other military targets, continues to be targeted by increasingly sophisticated Iranian missiles that send a buckshot-like bouquet of high explosives raining down on its cities. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2026 The warheads were each propelled by 1,000 pounds of high explosives. Nicole Young, CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025 Other high explosives that might normally serve as viable alternatives to TNT, like RDX, are also in short supply. Macklin Fishman, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025 However, how the robot coyotes will take on robot roadrunners has yet to be determined, since that will require advanced capabilities to use catapults, giant magnets, rocket packs, high explosives, and painting realistic tunnels on rock faces. New Atlas, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for high explosive

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high explosive was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“High explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20explosive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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