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
ABC News, 9 June 2024
On Thursday, the US Department of Justice charged Suk Min Choi — known as Alex Choi on YouTube — for allegedly breaking the law against having an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 7 June 2024
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024
In a 2015 Colorado case following a 19-hour SWAT operation, the wooden frame of a house was exposed and much of the interior was reduced to rubble after police used explosives to blast holes in the walls and breached doors with an armored vehicle, The Denver Post reported.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive 
Adjective
The forces -- the forces came under fire from a 360-degree threat: RPGs, AK-47s, explosive devices on the way, mortar rounds.
—ABC News, 9 June 2024
On Thursday, the US Department of Justice charged Suk Min Choi — known as Alex Choi on YouTube — for allegedly breaking the law against having an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 7 June 2024
Noun
Danon, 53, shared images to his social media that show Haley, 52, writing on the Israeli explosive.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024
In a 2015 Colorado case following a 19-hour SWAT operation, the wooden frame of a house was exposed and much of the interior was reduced to rubble after police used explosives to blast holes in the walls and breached doors with an armored vehicle, The Denver Post reported.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for explosive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explosive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 12 Jun. 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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