dynamite

1 of 3

noun

dy·​na·​mite ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt How to pronounce dynamite (audio)
1
: an explosive that is made of nitroglycerin absorbed in a porous material and that often contains ammonium nitrate or cellulose nitrate
also : an explosive (such as a mixture of ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose) that contains no nitroglycerin
2
: one that has a powerful effect
an actress who's dynamite at the box office
also : something that has great potential to cause trouble or conflict
an issue regarded as political dynamite
dynamitic adjective

dynamite

2 of 3

verb

dynamited; dynamiting

transitive verb

1
: to blow up with dynamite
2
: to cause the failure or destruction of
dynamiter noun

dynamite

3 of 3

adjective

: terrific, wonderful
a dynamite performance

Examples of dynamite in a Sentence

Noun The death penalty is political dynamite. Verb They plan to dynamite the old building. Adjective They put on a dynamite performance. a summer blockbuster that features some really dynamite special effects
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In addition to the hype surrounding this reunion and bringing Jackman out of Marvel retirement after 2017's Logan, the multiversal jaunt included some dynamite A-list cameos, including [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and [REDACTED]. Nick Romano, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2024 Make sure to opt for fast-growing trees like this dynamite crape myrtle from Fast Growing Trees, which will also add color to your curb in the spring. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2024
Verb
There were also schemes to dynamite President Kennedy’s car and to car- bomb President George H. W. Bush in Kuwait in 1993. Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2024 In a procedural ruling yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court dynamited more than a century of practice by letting Texas move forward with a law that effectively gives it immigration enforcement power, handing extremist Gov. Greg Abbott a victory that could have massive reverberations. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Jess [Bromwell] and her team have come up with are dynamite. Shania Russell, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024 In the end, dozens of members of the ironworkers union were convicted federally in dynamite plots. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for dynamite 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dynamite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek dýnamis "power, strength" + -ite entry 1 — more at dynamic entry 1

Note: Though the principal figure in the development of dynamite, Alfred nobel, was Swedish, the earliest patent for the substance (May, 1867) was filed in the United Kingdom, so the word was effectively first introduced in English rather than in Swedish or German.

Verb

derivative of dynamite entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of dynamite entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dynamite was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near dynamite

Cite this Entry

“Dynamite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamite. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

dynamite

1 of 2 noun
dy·​na·​mite ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt How to pronounce dynamite (audio)
: an explosive that is made chiefly of nitroglycerin absorbed in another substance
also : an explosive that contains no nitroglycerin

dynamite

2 of 2 verb
dynamited; dynamiting
: to blow up with dynamite
dynamiter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dynamite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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