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
Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The 40-year-old was booked into the Larimer County Jail and is facing several felony charges, including using explosive or incendiary devices during a felony and criminal mischief.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
The Know, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
Emi Jay’s trajectory so far is nothing short of explosive.
—Karin Eldor, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Washington’s explosive potential is a good addition.
—Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The 40-year-old was booked into the Larimer County Jail and is facing several felony charges, including using explosive or incendiary devices during a felony and criminal mischief.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
The ins and outs of the women’s feelings, sometimes quite similar, always loaded with explosives, might lead them to pull themselves and one another out of the defective, painful mess.
—The Know, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
Emi Jay’s trajectory so far is nothing short of explosive.
—Karin Eldor, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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This is a performance that entwines intense physicality with simmering determination, and a sense of humor.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
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That was the idea of having this riff that was gonna be really intense, and probably pretty majestic as well, but quite intriguing.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly three-quarters of those polled disapproved of Mr. Trump’s pardons for people convicted of violent crimes, and more than half disliked his pardons for even those convicted of nonviolent offenses.—
Meridith Kohut,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Of eight policies surveyed, his pardoning of people convicted of violent crimes in the January 6 Capitol riots was the least popular.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But with a bomb shelter located near its venue, the company proceeded.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
24 Feb. 2025
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Dogs' noses have 60 times as many smell receptors as humans, and can pick up on scents from chemical changes, cancer, drugs, and bombs, according to the American Kennel Club, leading some to theorize a dog can tell if a person is in the early stages of pregnancy.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In particular, teams deploying fiber-optic drones that send and receive signals via millimeters-thick wires rather than via radio—a method of control that helps the operators circumvent intensive Ukrainian radio jamming.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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When babies born at Carroll need intensive neonatal care, they are sent to Sinai.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Jones, still vigorous at seventy-two, moves through space with ferocious intent while conjuring stories from the past: early dance sensations, tense interactions with the legendary Ailey, and clashes with critics who tried to box him in as a Black artist.—
Shauna Lyon,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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Friction point: Community groups like the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Franklin Park Defenders have been ferocious in opposing the revamp, questioning the cost, traffic and the loss of a public asset to a private interest.—
Mike Deehan,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Now, the only way to convince a U-boat commander to surface was to deliberately take a torpedo strike and play dead.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
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There is some fighting, though nearly all of it involves punching instead of phasers or photon torpedoes.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After the goalless draw in one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, the Portuguese manager was yet again outspoken in his press conference.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
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The game between the fierce rivals was halted after 52 minutes due to fans throwing flares onto the pitch.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The 1999 killing Syed and Lee both attended Woodlawn High School and had dated, broken up, reunited and broken up again in a relationship an appeals court described as turbulent.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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