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
Relevance
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
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Madsen agreed with that sentiment, saying that among his big goals this offseason is to become more consistent, and to allow teammates to be more explosive.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2026
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
These create chemical reactions that produce the explosive thrust necessary to propel humans to the Moon.
—Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
In early March, engineers from the Armaments Center began designing, explosive pressing, housing manufacturing and integrating the warhead to be used on a low-cost and expendable one-way attack drone.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Madsen agreed with that sentiment, saying that among his big goals this offseason is to become more consistent, and to allow teammates to be more explosive.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
In another part of the factory, a worker used a wooden stick, like a tongue compressor at a doctor’s office, to scrape excess bits of explosive out of the grooves inside each shell, ensuring that the base would screw on smoothly.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
These create chemical reactions that produce the explosive thrust necessary to propel humans to the Moon.
—Michael Carrafiello, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
By the final showdown, the production has made use of every bit of stage space, with sensational flying sequences (choreographed by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant) that allow the vampires to float, hover, and—in one especially intense moment—dive from that bridge.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The moment has sparked an outpouring of empathy, with many pointing to the intense pressure drivers face on the job.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Opponents will learn about his violent play style very quickly.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The government actually deported more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand people, but getting just to that number involved broad and violent sweeps and the expulsion of people who were in the country legally, actions that led to widespread protests.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jimmy’s connection with Tariq, who is missing a leg due to a bomb that also scarred his mother’s face, is rooted in his brotherly love for his father Khalil, Jimmy’s translator, who was killed because of his work with the Americans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
During a search of Beran A’s property, authorities found bomb-making equipment, per the BBC.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Data centers also have sharp demand spikes driven by computing-intensive tasks, such as training models.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Tilson Thomas’ New World Symphony, an ensemble and intensive three-year fellowship program for music school graduates to hone their craft, and its home at the New World Center in Miami Beach, are considered to be crown jewels in the Miami area’s art scene.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Behind a ferocious defense and an offense that couldn’t miss, the Knicks led by 25 points after one quarter, by as many as 51 points in the first half, and by as many as 61 points after halftime.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap have always been ferocious rappers, two goliaths spitting bilingual bars over gritty electronica with the couplet-completing precision of Run the Jewels.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The find brings new clarity to a tragedy that unfolded in the final weeks of World War I, when the Tampa was struck by a German torpedo and sank in a matter of minutes.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, nine ships sunk by German torpedoes during World War I were found off the coast of Morocco.—
Stephen Smith,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Along the way, there have been fast times, big doping busts and fierce corporate competition for the fastest humans in history.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pre-marketing fight lands in court The fiercest pushback to Compass’s marketing strategy came from Zillow, the country’s largest home-search platform.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Officials were furious about a video Mamdani made in front of Griffin's building to justify taxing the owners of multimillion dollar apartments.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The latter song exemplifies Martin’s neck-snappingly furious style; his drumming simply never settles.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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