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
Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
The policy came five years after Richard Reid tried to blow up an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami with explosives packed in his shoes.
—ABC News, 7 July 2025
Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025
Their backline and midfield pivot lacks explosive speed, which may be crucial to breaking past the PSG press, so head coach Vincent Kompany will need to find innovative solutions while ensuring Bayern’s press from the front is perfect.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
The Transportation Security Administration adopted the no-shoes rule in 2006 after a British man boarded a 2001 American Airlines flight with explosives hidden in a shoe.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
The policy came five years after Richard Reid tried to blow up an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami with explosives packed in his shoes.
—ABC News, 7 July 2025
Noun
About the same time, an entire crew of a submarine on a training mission dies after the vessel is struck by a supposedly dormant explosive device in Alaska’s Icy Strait.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025
Their backline and midfield pivot lacks explosive speed, which may be crucial to breaking past the PSG press, so head coach Vincent Kompany will need to find innovative solutions while ensuring Bayern’s press from the front is perfect.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
Early Friday morning, intense rain caused flash flooding across Texas Hill Country.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
There were several safety cars during the race, along with changing conditions with periods of intense rain followed by a drying track.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
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As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Rafaela’s bomb prevented the game from getting uncomfortably close when Jordan Hicks couldn’t pitch a clean bottom of the ninth.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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Iranians certainly do after Trump sent bunker-buster bombs into their most secure nuclear facility.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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An intensive moisturiser that delivers maximum hydration, Revision’s DermProtect Barrier Defense™ also replenishes natural lipids, and enhances moisture retention.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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The military would prefer to focus on managing ever-growing threats from satellites, an intensive effort that requires continual monitoring as other nations' increasingly sophisticated spacecraft maneuver from one orbit to another.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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On the wall behind her, Gauguin has painted glyphs like those discovered on Easter Island, and a masked female figure, ferocious and bare-breasted.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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Last time around, the titular Addams Family member, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, saved Nevermore by solving the mystery of the Hyde’s identity and putting a stop to the ferocious creature.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Speaking from the visitor’s dugout at Busch Stadium ahead of Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, DeBartolo first acknowledged fan vexation as the Nationals, who are 37-53 and in last place in the National League East, torpedo toward another dismal season.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
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Distribution also continues to increase through its network of retailers, including Better Baseball, Hit After Hit, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Bases Loaded; meanwhile, the torpedo bat mania triggered April sales to surge more than 100% versus the prior year.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless.—
Todd Fisher,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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To put that drop into context, Gates was the fifth richest person alive on July 3, highlighting the fierce (and sometimes erratic) battle to make it to the top 10.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.—
Nick Harris
July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 July 2025
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Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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