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
Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
But players grew tired of that explosive coaching style, finding his outbursts a stale method of getting through to them, according to multiple sources familiar with their thinking.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
While Barco was on patrol in November with his platoon, a car laden with explosives swerved and went airborne, erupting in flames.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Adjective
When an artist has that kind of dedicated fan base, he’s poised for this kind of explosive moment.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
But players grew tired of that explosive coaching style, finding his outbursts a stale method of getting through to them, according to multiple sources familiar with their thinking.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
The glide bombs, which carry 200 pounds of explosives apiece, can be launched more than 70 nautical miles from their targets.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
While Barco was on patrol in November with his platoon, a car laden with explosives swerved and went airborne, erupting in flames.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for explosive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive
Adjective
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The missions became more intense as Japan's outlook grew more dire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support for the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Next, the authors report that repressive techniques are often effective in suppressing protest in the short run but tend to make resistance more intense in the long term.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Bravo’s family said the 28-year-old was ending a violent relationship.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Adams said the pair had discussed how to combat violent migrant gangs and embedding more New York Police Department officers into federal task forces.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Trump hasn't been shy in elevating the campaign on social media; last weekend, the president posted a video, purportedly of several dozen Houthi militants assembling at an undisclosed location, getting hit by U.S. bombs.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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The two measures were intended to block a total of $8.8 billion in heavy bombs and other munitions to Israel.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That could include chemical-intensive lab work like testing sea lions, killer whales and walruses from Alaska for environmental contaminants, Tolimieri said.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2025
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Class-size mandates effectively compete with other investments, like hiring more mental health professionals or investing in intensive teacher training for the existing workforce.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley, become more ferocious and pound potentially more than 900 miles of the region – from Louisiana to Minnesota – through the overnight hours.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
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Ferran’s ragged butterfly Blanche looks at first glance as if she might be blown to smithereens with one gust of Stanley’s ferocious lung power.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The quote, from a Deadspin article , refers to the torpedo bats many players on the New York Yankees are using.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
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In that light, torpedo bats might not produce baseball’s next great leap forward.—
John Cairney,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The documentary follows the story of Ángel, a charismatic boy with fierce love for his Guarani roots and a vision for his Paraguayan hometown of Nanawa.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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The Battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days, with fierce fighting on land and sea.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Overanalyzing every win and loss will make your journey feel more turbulent than necessary.—
Nelson Chu,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Interesting, turbulent life (including 22 years in prison).—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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