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
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Yet his explosive halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday (Feb. 9) was a rising tide that lifted all of his respective boats on streaming services, from the superstar rapper’s latest album to his signature hits to his co-star at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
The facility is known for upholding Russia's military industry by producing gunpowder, manufacturing parts for rockets and explosives, and producing ammunition.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explosive 
Adjective
Our actors have trained tirelessly to ensure knockout performances that embody the explosive raw energy and emotion of MMA fights.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Yet his explosive halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday (Feb. 9) was a rising tide that lifted all of his respective boats on streaming services, from the superstar rapper’s latest album to his signature hits to his co-star at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
The bomb threat was made on Jan. 10 but police found no explosives.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
The facility is known for upholding Russia's military industry by producing gunpowder, manufacturing parts for rockets and explosives, and producing ammunition.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
But that independence, and particularly the eye-opening success that EMPIRE has experienced over the past few years, has also brought scrutiny — and tests of Ghazi’s commitment, particularly during a time of intense consolidation in the music business.—
Dan Rys,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
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The price war, sparked by Tesla two years ago, has become so intense that BYD asked its suppliers late last year to deliver hefty price reductions of 10% for the coming year.—
Hassan Tayir,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Long before 17-year-old Solomon Henderson walked into his school cafeteria with a gun, authorities in Tennessee were alerted to his threatening and violent behavior.—
Aliyya Swaby,
ProPublica,
8 Feb. 2025
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To reach him in Crooks Springs, Sara enlists the assistance of a guide named Isaac Reed, depicted by a gritty and valiant Taylor Kitsch, also from Friday Night Lights, who leads their small band in the face of calamities climatic, financial, and violent.—
Michael M. Rosen,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Boosts the immune system Aloe vera is a bomb of essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and polysaccharides that strengthen the immune system, helping the body fight infection and disease.—
Sofía Esquivel,
Glamour,
11 Feb. 2025
-
In late January, shortly after taking office, Trump lifted the hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Since the two Secret Service agents tried to enter Hamline, Trump has targeted Chicago with an intensive set of raids that swept up people with criminal records and also those with none at all.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Gaza—largely destroyed by intensive Israeli bombing and ground operations—would need to be rebuilt and overhauled, including slotting in new financial, health care, education and judicial systems, the think tank said.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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It was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, which spread at ferocious speeds in high winds, eventually destroying more than 9,000 houses and buildings around Altadena, Calif.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2025
-
In the days after the fire, Anthony C. Marrone, the Los Angeles County fire chief, hammered the same message over and over: The flames were too ferocious and the winds too intense to stop the infernos of Tuesday night, Jan. 7.—
Jonathan Wolfe,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There is some fighting, though nearly all of it involves punching instead of phasers or photon torpedoes.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
28 Jan. 2025
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Beyond being the oldest living survivor of the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Upton was also the last living survivor of the USS Utah — a naval ship that sank after being hit by two torpedoes during the early minutes of the Hawaii attack, per the nonprofit.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Veteran San Diego actor Rosina Reynolds is the cast standout in her icy, fierce and acerbic performance as the uncompromising Polly.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2025
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Together, Toothless and Hiccup soar through the sky, barreling past rocky cliffs and roaring oceans and flying far above fierce battles as the music swells.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The book explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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Bill Hader says Ye would tell cast 'on the regular' that Saturday Night Live was 'incredibly unfunny' The development comes in the midst of an turbulent month for the rapper-slash-fashionista.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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