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
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 May 2025
This is a case of too much style and too little substance, as melodrama and excessive slo-mo overshadow the few explosive scenes, including a decent motorcycle chase.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Max Gao, Variety, 16 May 2025
Brady — who was shot in the head by a bullet packed with explosives — suffered the most serious injuries of the four victims, which included President Reagan.
—Kyler Alvord, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Bravo/Getty Images Glamour: Season two has been pretty explosive so far.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 May 2025
This is a case of too much style and too little substance, as melodrama and excessive slo-mo overshadow the few explosive scenes, including a decent motorcycle chase.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Noun
With an assist from her nephew, Dr. Lucas Adams (Niko Terho) — who could only watch helplessly as Jenna held an explosive to his ex-girlfriend Dr. Simone Griffith’s (Alexi Floyd) chest — Amelia is able to stop Dylan’s bleeding.
—Max Gao, Variety, 16 May 2025
Brady — who was shot in the head by a bullet packed with explosives — suffered the most serious injuries of the four victims, which included President Reagan.
—Kyler Alvord, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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Losing someone the caliber of Soto’s track record stung the Yankees and certainly their fans based on the reaction of an intense Subway Series.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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But Trump couldn't get the change included in his 2017 economic legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, amid an intense lobbying campaign from the industry and some GOP lawmakers to protect the break.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
16 May 2025
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Europeans, Australians and Americans organized violent, racially motivated riots and lawmakers began enacting anti-Chinese immigration legislation, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 May 2025
Noun
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It’s packed with concentrated umami, ready to be diffused into your next sauce, stew, or broth like one of those absurdly potent bath bombs circa 2012.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 May 2025
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During the church service, a Sudanese-government plane dropped bombs nearby.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Ryan Murphy has found his Kennedys after an intensive casting search for the first installment of his new FX anthology series, American Love Story.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
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Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Trump fired a tariff torpedo at China — and hit Boeing right between the eyes, writes columnist Michael Hiltzik.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
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This is Dan McDermott’s big, bold, torpedo bat swing at AMC.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
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Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.—
Dean Kaplan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
This time, there’s still some uneasiness around the organization, mainly rooted in its turbulent recent past.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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