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
Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The 40-year-old was booked into the Larimer County Jail and is facing several felony charges, including using explosive or incendiary devices during a felony and criminal mischief.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
The Know, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
Emi Jay’s trajectory so far is nothing short of explosive.
—Karin Eldor, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
Washington’s explosive potential is a good addition.
—Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The 40-year-old was booked into the Larimer County Jail and is facing several felony charges, including using explosive or incendiary devices during a felony and criminal mischief.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
The ins and outs of the women’s feelings, sometimes quite similar, always loaded with explosives, might lead them to pull themselves and one another out of the defective, painful mess.
—The Know, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
Emi Jay’s trajectory so far is nothing short of explosive.
—Karin Eldor, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
-
This is due to the bodywork, interior work, and intense customization required to retrofit a new drivetrain under an old body.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Last year, intense protests and riots against immigration erupted throughout England after 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana stabbed and killed young girls at a dance class.—
Abigail Anthony,
National Review,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While confronting their violent history, a brutal bar fight and deadly feud reignites between Thomas, Ben, and the notorious Five Points Gang.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2025
-
That career has been highlighted by some of the most violent fights in MMA history.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His last touchdown was a 50-yard bomb, which represented the final points in the Super Bowl and the 2024 season.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Paris' Gare du Nord rail station suspended all train traffic, both arrivals and departures, after the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The tool is designed for people who do intensive knowledge work in areas like finance, science, policy, and engineering.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The episode, written by Dan Erickson and Mark Friedman and directed by Jessica Lee Gagné, feels almost made with Reddit in mind, filled with images and Easter Eggs that demand intensive screenshot analysis.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Jones, still vigorous at seventy-two, moves through space with ferocious intent while conjuring stories from the past: early dance sensations, tense interactions with the legendary Ailey, and clashes with critics who tried to box him in as a Black artist.—
Shauna Lyon,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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Friction point: Community groups like the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Franklin Park Defenders have been ferocious in opposing the revamp, questioning the cost, traffic and the loss of a public asset to a private interest.—
Mike Deehan,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Now, the only way to convince a U-boat commander to surface was to deliberately take a torpedo strike and play dead.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
-
There is some fighting, though nearly all of it involves punching instead of phasers or photon torpedoes.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The bill has been met with both fierce opposition and staunch support from students, professors and community members across the state.—
Amanda McCard,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2025
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With Zverev looking to cement his dominance, Alcaraz aiming for a repeat title, and Fritz eager to defend home soil, the competition will be fierce from day one.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The 1999 killing Syed and Lee both attended Woodlawn High School and had dated, broken up, reunited and broken up again in a relationship an appeals court described as turbulent.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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