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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
In March, Magyar released an explosive audio recording purporting to implicate Rogán and other officials in efforts to cover up corruption by tampering with evidence.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
The battle in Yemen has often taken a back seat to other explosive, roiling conflicts in the Middle East.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive 
Adjective
Phylicia Rashad directs Jacobs-Jenkins’s chronicle of the Jasper family, at the center of Black American politics for generations, now facing an explosive reckoning after the return home of youngest son Nazareth, who’s brought an unexpected guest.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
In March, Magyar released an explosive audio recording purporting to implicate Rogán and other officials in efforts to cover up corruption by tampering with evidence.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
At least one Hezbollah technician began to suspect that the walkie-talkies might contain hidden explosives, according to three Israeli defense officials.
—Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
The battle in Yemen has often taken a back seat to other explosive, roiling conflicts in the Middle East.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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Flames were pushed by intense wind gusts that officials had warned could fuel any spark into a fast-moving and erratic wildfire.Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
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In 2021, a storm killed over 240 people and left millions of residents without power sparking intense backlash for ERCOT.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Follow more of our reporting on Deadly Dose Crime One Kansas police force’s approach to fighting fentanyl is driving down violent crime November 30, 2023 6:10 AM Government & Politics Missouri lawmakers push new charges for fentanyl dealers.Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
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The prospect of requiring harsher penalties for pot possession than most violent crimes gave some Republicans pause at the wide-ranging hearing, which lasted for more than two hours.Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Nuclear arms race The worst-case scenario in an escalating conflict between the U.S. and China would be either side turning to nuclear bombs.Brad Dress, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
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Host Nikki Glaser skewers Hollywood A-listers with kindness, gets an assist from Adam Sandler Overall, a great performance, especially when compared to Koy's comedic bomb last year.Marco della Cava, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Although Altman didn’t explicitly say why the company is losing money, running AI models is very cost intensive, requiring investments in data centers and electricity to provide the necessary computing power.Tharin Pillay, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025
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At present, nitrogen fixation—the chemical process required to produce ammonia from nitrogen gas—is hugely energy intensive, accounting for as much as two percent of the world’s annual energy budget.Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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More than 12,000 homes have been destroyed by ferocious fires that have left at least 11 dead.Chantz Martin, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Then, as the ferocious winds began to die down on Wednesday, firefighters were once again able to take to the air, scooping up water from the ocean and reservoirs and dumping it on the fires.Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The tale begins in the dead of night on July 30, 1945, when the USS Indianapolis was struck by two Japanese torpedoes in the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Pacific Ocean.Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
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Upton was a Navy radioman aboard the USS Utah when torpedoes hit the battleship and quickly capsized it, the nonprofit Pacific Historic Parks said in a social media post.Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Lyft’s challenges were compounded by fierce rivalry with Uber (NYSE: UBER) and the disruptive impact of the pandemic.Trefis Team, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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Tariffs Don't Have to Make Economic Sense to Appeal to Trump Voters The debates over tariffs were fierce.Einav Rabinovitch-Fox / Made by History, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Aikman too had some turbulent times early in his career with the Dallas Cowboys.Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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But wearied by a turbulent couple of years that saw points deductions, relegation battles and near-constant speculation over the future of the club, the 53-year-old made clear his view that his methods were no longer having the same impact.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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