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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of explosive
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But the governor’s explosive reaction to them even being asked suggests there’s a lot more to see.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
The device weighs in at a whopping 500 kilograms (1,100 lbs), of which 200 kilograms (440 lbs) are explosives.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Residents in several Granite Bay homes were told to shelter in place Wednesday as Placer County sheriff’s explosive experts inspected a suspicious device found in the residential neighborhood just west of Folsom Lake.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But the governor’s explosive reaction to them even being asked suggests there’s a lot more to see.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
At the scene, officers were told the suspect made threats of having firearms and explosives in his vehicle, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
The device weighs in at a whopping 500 kilograms (1,100 lbs), of which 200 kilograms (440 lbs) are explosives.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Next, the authors report that repressive techniques are often effective in suppressing protest in the short run but tend to make resistance more intense in the long term.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Bravo’s family said the 28-year-old was ending a violent relationship.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump hasn't been shy in elevating the campaign on social media; last weekend, the president posted a video, purportedly of several dozen Houthi militants assembling at an undisclosed location, getting hit by U.S. bombs.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The two measures were intended to block a total of $8.8 billion in heavy bombs and other munitions to Israel.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This alarming probability briefly landed the asteroid atop impact risk lists maintained by NASA and the European Space Agency, triggering planetary defense discussions and prompting intensive follow-up observations to refine the object's trajectory.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
If the proposal gets legislative approval in Healey’s roughly $62 billion budget request, the Bay State would lose its only intensive residential treatment program for children between the ages of 6 and 12 who are suffering from suicidal and/or homicidal ideations or other complex needs.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And yet even the breeziest of Catullus’ occasional poems can suddenly betray flashes of ferocious emotion.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
-
In terms of food security, the abundance of the blue catfish available could assist people in need, and on the flipside, rid the bay of a ferocious predator.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
While the overall hitting surface is not increased with the torpedo bat, the barrel of the bat is moved to a different location.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The best story of the first week of the season wasn’t torpedo bats.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The bottom line: The total number of applicants nationwide remains below record highs seen in the 1990s, per the WSJ, but the year-over-year jump still means fierce competition for aspiring lawyers.—
Torey Van Oot,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The court’s decision marks the end of what has been a turbulent presidency.—
Max Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2025
-
From playing a spirited college student in All American: Homecoming to navigating the turbulent world of Snowfall, Williams has mastered the art of transformation.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share