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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of explosive
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
Ammar’s explosive film is the result of 10 years of editing; the intensive autobiography intersects the history of Europe and the Middle East, and film history, too.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Lance Jimenez, a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, said the explosive was made from a 40-ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle and a silky designer handkerchief.
—Michael R. Sisak, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Not just to break an explosive play or make a spectacular haul.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
Ammar’s explosive film is the result of 10 years of editing; the intensive autobiography intersects the history of Europe and the Middle East, and film history, too.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
Noun
Soliman is also facing felony charges for using explosives or incendiary devices, first-degree assault, and causing serious injury to the elderly, but prosecutors may decide on different charges.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Lance Jimenez, a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, said the explosive was made from a 40-ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle and a silky designer handkerchief.
—Michael R. Sisak, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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But Tranter and Bartlett said Trump may settle roughly into this range of having an approval rating between 43 percent and 47 percent given the intense polarization of the country, as has been common in the past couple administrations.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
31 May 2025
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Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The prosecution appears poised to use Combs' feud with Knight, as well as another series of encounters with rapper Kid Cudi, as demonstrative of a violent streak.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Yet the Brazilian proceeded to show how Pereira’s faith was misplaced, first with a stroppy performance at Chelsea that prompted his head coach to publicly criticise his body language and then with his second violent meltdown of the season, against Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Moscow’s stationing fission or fusion bombs in orbit would violate the Outer Space Treaty - the fundamental international pact that governs space missions across the solar system.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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In the ensuing battles, Israeli forces have mercilessly pounded Gaza with bombs that have destroyed much of the region’s infrastructure, killing more than 53,000, according to Palestinian health officials.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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University of Southern California LOS ANGELES Inspired by Walt Disney artist and Imagineer John C. Hench, USC’s intensive BFA and MFA programs teach animation from a maker’s point of view.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
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Ware picked up all the cases while on intensive supervised release after serving three years and three months for aiding and abetting first-degree robbery out of Hennepin County.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
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But its domination has already been raked by the torpedoes from another threat.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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Austin Wells homered later in the inning, and the Yankees ultimately won, 20-9, while clubbing a franchise-record nine home runs with a lineup full of torpedo bats.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
-
The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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President Donald Trump’s turbulent tariff policy is projected to cause a sharper slowdown in economic growth in the United States and around the world than previously expected, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) found in a Tuesday report.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
3 June 2025
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This turbulent phase will pass, leading to more peaceful times ahead.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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