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
Angela Haupt, Time, 15 May 2026
After the explosive energy of the first two tracks, things calm way down.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
Anna Meiler, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Prince is an explosive running back who has ideal short-area quickness.
—Omar Kelly
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Power—the explosive, fast-twitch capacity that catches you mid-fall—goes first.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 15 May 2026
After the explosive energy of the first two tracks, things calm way down.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
Noun
Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, and 21-year-old Dominick Frank Cardoza of Bourne, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to damage a building by means of fire and an explosive.
—Anna Meiler, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Prince is an explosive running back who has ideal short-area quickness.
—Omar Kelly
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
There is a brightness and its opposite, not darkness but another brightness, just as intense.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
Paxton voters are more intense in their contempt for Cornyn than vice versa.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Ahmed suggested that this was a bad idea, since Denise was the one who had been violent, Denise began cursing at him.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Some people argue that enforcement becomes necessary when encampments grow large or long-term, especially when safety concerns, sanitation issues, or violent incidents arise.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The Defense Ministry said in a terse statement that soldiers discovered a bomb that was ready to be detonated in the central Bab Sharqi district of Damascus.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Republicans said the deal was not effectively keeping Iran from building a bomb.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rice University’s Kinder Institute study found that newcomer students in the kindergarten through fifth grade age range who are eligible for intensive newcomer English programs experience a measurable academic boost, lasting up to three years after eligibility.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
And it is currently made, almost everywhere in the world, through a process that is energy-intensive, waste-heavy, and engineered for an environment with almost no environmental regulation.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The first wave of women’s-rights activists won suffrage for women, against ferocious and sometimes violent opposition.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Featuring aching, ferocious performances from Emmy winners Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, Camp Miasma imagines the resurrection of a dormant slasher franchise.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The investigation proposes the 50cm by 50cm hole in the Ursa Major’s hull would likely have been made by a Barracuda supercavitating torpedo.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Breakker then was able to hit Rollins with what announcer Michael Cole called a torpedo spear to get the 1-2-3 and the win.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, Juventus was roundly jeered after losing 2-0 at home to fierce rivals Fiorentina, while Como held on for a 1-0 win over Parma to leave Cesc Fàbregas’ team still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League just seven years after playing in Italy's fourth division.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
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In the remote native villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, on the coast of the Bering Sea, Halong’s fierce flooding lifted homes off their foundations and carried them down a river with people still inside.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dozens of furious Nantes supporters were angry over their team’s abysmal season.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Debuting director Ronan Corrigan keeps things moving at a fast and furious pace.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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