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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 30 May 2026
Increasingly petulant persona aside, EXPERIMENTAL RAP once again proves just how explosive JPEG is as a producer.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Anna Meiler, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Prince is an explosive running back who has ideal short-area quickness.
—Omar Kelly
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Between explosive chase scenes and sword-fighting, Teela's inner sensitivity and pain are exposed most in her relationship with her on-screen father, Duncan, played by Idris Elba, who previously served as the captain of the Royal Guard before going down a darker path.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 30 May 2026
Increasingly petulant persona aside, EXPERIMENTAL RAP once again proves just how explosive JPEG is as a producer.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Noun
Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, and 21-year-old Dominick Frank Cardoza of Bourne, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to damage a building by means of fire and an explosive.
—Anna Meiler, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Prince is an explosive running back who has ideal short-area quickness.
—Omar Kelly
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
Russia had vowed more intense attacks and warned foreign diplomats to abandon Kyiv.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
-
That funding faced intense scrutiny from a handful of Republicans, prompting senators to abandon it.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
His predecessor, Hailemariam Desalegn, had overseen strong economic growth during his nearly six-year rule but continued a historical pattern of using violent crackdowns to crush dissent.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
That was in March of 2011, when pro-democracy protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad led to a violent government crackdown and civil war.—
Jon LaPook,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Sacramento County sheriff’s and FBI bomb technicians disposed and tested the explosive.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
-
During its combat service history, the Harrier II was typically armed with a wide range of weapon systems, including the air-to-air AMRAAM and Sparrow missiles, air-to-surface AGM-65 Maverick missiles, anti-ship Harpoon and Sea Eagle missiles, a 25mm cannon, and various bombs and rockets.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
For Paul, dragging long sheets of metal was intensive.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Distillation is a process in which a small, less resource-intensive model learns to mimic a large, expensive one.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Fires ravaged the ballpark’s left-field bleachers in May 1926, and a tornado’s ferocious winds tore through additional sections of seats that July, and ownership could not afford to renovate.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Noisy, ebullient, ferocious and free, Dance!—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The Philippines is getting six used Japanese escort destroyers armed with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and naval guns.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
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With the Hai Kun nearing delivery, the modernization of the Chien Lung-class submarines nearing completion, and advanced torpedoes scheduled to arrive next year, Taiwan’s navy is steadily expanding its undersea warfare capabilities and strengthening its maritime deterrence posture.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Reddit is home to many of Civilization VII’s fiercest critics, but Test of Time also appears to be well received there, too.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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She will be remembered for her loving generosity, fierce opinions, endless curiosity, unique style, and her powdered, almond, crescent cookies at Christmas, hence her name, Auntie Cookie.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Before the playoff the pair had to fight off a furious charge from last year’s winner, Ben Griffin, who started the day off in 19th place but had the final day’s best round at 5-under 65.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 May 2026
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The 24-year-old infielder launched a two-run home run off the Orioles’ Trevor Rogers in the seventh inning of the Blue Jays’ furious come-from-behind 6-5 win in Baltimore.—
Jon Becker,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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