ex·plo·sive
ik-ˈsplō-siv 
-ziv
1
a
: relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion
an explosive hatch
b
: resulting from or as if from an explosion
explosive population growth
2
a
: tending to explode
an explosive person
b
: likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence
an explosive situation
explosively
adverb
explosiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of explosive in a Sentence
Adjective
He has an explosive temper.
there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics
Recent Examples on the Web
Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Micaela Hanning, Crean Lutheran: The transfer from Calvary Chapel is an explosive point guard who can strike from the perimeter and drive to the basket.
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Pacific on Wednesday, more than 2,000 pounds of explosives took down the Tropicana’s Paradise Tower and Club Tower in roughly 22 seconds.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive 
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Adjective
But a month shy of Election Day in 2022, an explosive Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report appeared in several media outlets three days before it was supposed to be public.
—Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Micaela Hanning, Crean Lutheran: The transfer from Calvary Chapel is an explosive point guard who can strike from the perimeter and drive to the basket.
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
The center is equipped with an impressive array of advanced detectors capable of identifying radiological, chemical, biological agents, and explosives—technology that is beyond the reach of many neighboring countries in the region.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Pacific on Wednesday, more than 2,000 pounds of explosives took down the Tropicana’s Paradise Tower and Club Tower in roughly 22 seconds.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive
Dictionary Entries Near explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
explosive
1 of 2 adjective
ex·plo·sive
ik-ˈsplō-siv
-ziv
1
: able to cause explosion
the explosive power of gunpowder
2
: likely to explode
an explosive temper
explosively
adverb
explosiveness
noun
explosive
2 of 2 noun
: an explosive substance
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