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
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
Matt Barrows, New York Times, 5 June 2025
Ammonium nitrate is an explosive precursor that can be used to make homemade bombs, Essayli said.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Yehor Konovalov, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Investigators say the blast pattern shows that the device was far more damaging than a low-grade explosive such as fireworks.
—Andres Gutierrez, CBS News, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
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Adjective
Watkins got a nice plug from Purdy, who said he’s made several explosive plays this spring.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 5 June 2025
Ammonium nitrate is an explosive precursor that can be used to make homemade bombs, Essayli said.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Noun
One drone dropped explosives on a passenger bus in the Dniprovskyi district of the Kherson region, injuring two people, the local administration said.
—Yehor Konovalov, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Investigators say the blast pattern shows that the device was far more damaging than a low-grade explosive such as fireworks.
—Andres Gutierrez, CBS News, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explosive. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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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