EXPLOSIVE Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

explosive 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsplō-siv

Definition of explosive

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

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

explosive

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of explosive

Adjective

During the summer, the sheriff’s bomb squad and the naval explosive ordnance disposal unit also responded to the beach to pick up a much more hazardous item, a Super Bazooka round. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 Multiple weapons in the passing game Aided by the run game, Florida’s passing offense is also built off explosive plays. — Pj Green september 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

As bomb technicians struggled to disarm the explosive, the FBI raced against the clock to deliver the ransom while simultaneously hunting the extortionists. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, according to the complaint, the operatives handed Bowie a gun, ammunition and an inert explosive, then gave her instructions on how to use them. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explosive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive

Adjective

Through it all, Pi-o and Jeong-yo’s intense, often tender relationship serves as a throughline, bringing many viewers to question if the Netflix series qualifies as a boys’ love (aka BL) drama.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
The Castle of Oia is also lovely—though the sunset-seeking crowds can be intense.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

France is currently in the throes of another political crisis, with violent student protests now stretching into their third week.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
The protest was sparked by photos shared on the social media platform Snapchat showing violent messages threatening to rape and kill a female student.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of violent

Noun

Washington hadn’t converted a third down until its final drive, when Williams converted a third-and-11 pass, then hit a fourth-and-two bomb for 43 yards.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
In other developments, one person was killed and 16 wounded Sunday in a Russian aerial bomb attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, local officials said.

— Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of bomb

Adjective

At research-intensive institutions, critical knowledge is often distributed across specialized offices, sponsor websites, internal guidance, prior submissions and experienced staff.

— Mayank Kejriwal, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Removing the thermal drying stage could also make electrode manufacturing less capital- and energy-intensive.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

In the Atlantic, not a single hurricane has formed yet, a record for this late into hurricane season, due to ferocious wind shear brought on by El Niño.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
When the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in June, the natural instinct was to focus on the prodigious point production (57th all time), the volume rebounding (71st all time), the thunderous dunks and the ferocious forays to the basket.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

The rare show of alignment among fierce rivals was soon countered by comments from Meta’s Zuckerberg and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, both of whom dismissed the slowdown idea.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
The book and series focus on the complicated romance of Canadian hockey prodigy Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian phenom Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who are the fierce on-ice rivals and the league’s best players.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

The shooting kicked off a blockbuster federal court case that fell apart only weeks later and led to a day of chaos in Brighton Park as federal agents deployed multiple rounds of chemical munitions against furious residents.

— Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Martinez was said to have been furious with officials responsible for executing Pike.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

explosions

explosive

explosively

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“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of explosive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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