1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
one of the most explosive storms to hit that area of the coast in some time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But the governor’s explosive reaction to them even being asked suggests there’s a lot more to see.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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
Adjective
Residents in several Granite Bay homes were told to shelter in place Wednesday as Placer County sheriff’s explosive experts inspected a suspicious device found in the residential neighborhood just west of Folsom Lake.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But the governor’s explosive reaction to them even being asked suggests there’s a lot more to see.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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The process has ignited intense public pushback from Luna to not only leadership, but her one-time allies in the Freedom Caucus.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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The May 1945 bombing came on the heels of another intense U.S. firebombing campaign known as Operation Meetinghouse.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Third, the violent reaction in financial markets that followed Mr. Trump's latest tariff salvo could persuade him to change course.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
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Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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An Associated Press review has found the new American operation against the Houthis under Trump appears more extensive than those under former President Joe Biden, as the U.S. moves from solely targeting launch sites to firing at ranking personnel as well as dropping bombs in cities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Apr. 2025
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An Associated Press review has found the new American operation against the Houthis under President Trump appears more extensive than those under former President Biden, as the U.S. moves from solely targeting launch sites to firing at ranking personnel as well as dropping bombs in cities.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This alarming probability briefly landed the asteroid atop impact risk lists maintained by NASA and the European Space Agency, triggering planetary defense discussions and prompting intensive follow-up observations to refine the object's trajectory.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Number Purchased by Readers: 123 Crest 3D Whitestrips Teeth Whitening Kit What to Know: The Crest 3D whitening kit has 44 strips and two more intensive one-hour treatments.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And yet even the breeziest of Catullus’ occasional poems can suddenly betray flashes of ferocious emotion.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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In terms of food security, the abundance of the blue catfish available could assist people in need, and on the flipside, rid the bay of a ferocious predator.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While the overall hitting surface is not increased with the torpedo bat, the barrel of the bat is moved to a different location.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The best story of the first week of the season wasn’t torpedo bats.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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The bottom line: The total number of applicants nationwide remains below record highs seen in the 1990s, per the WSJ, but the year-over-year jump still means fierce competition for aspiring lawyers.—
Torey Van Oot,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
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From playing a spirited college student in All American: Homecoming to navigating the turbulent world of Snowfall, Williams has mastered the art of transformation.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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