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

Relevance

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

Doctors also are still learning how explosive blasts injure the brain versus a physical blow. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 With 869 hp and a weight reduction of 132 pounds over the GTB, this supercar is engineered for explosive track performance. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

The jury found Soto guilty of rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and using and carrying explosives during a riot. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 Sigcho-Lopez ward office released an image of an SUV’s license plate number in a social media post, claiming the explosive was a bomb, set off by one of two men who arrived in an SUV. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for explosive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive

Adjective

An unusually intense El Niño event is gathering strength in the tropical Pacific in a hurry.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Thousands of Offers Nazareth University, located near Rochester, New York, is using direct admissions in part to reach those outside of the state where competition for students is particularly intense.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

The stunts included burnouts in the middle of the intersection, which resulted in a violent collision with two of the bystanders.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.

— Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

Both these ingredients are extremely energy intensive, raising concerns about energy demands if they are scaled in their current forms.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Companies are exploring off-planet storage, cloud-like computing, AI processing, data sovereignty and potentially power-intensive workloads in orbit.

— Ben Topor, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
In 1970, Milton Friedman’s ferocious political essay in the New York Times, and the agency-theorizing that followed provided sufficient intellectual justification.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Noun

Each vessel will be able to carry 12 Trident II D5 missiles for nuclear deterrence, alongside torpedoes for anti-ship missions.

— Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Their modular design allows rapid adaptation, deploying diverse payloads like torpedoes, air drones, and rockets.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of torpedo

Adjective

Management tried to modernize a restaurant brand built around nostalgia, underestimated how strongly customers identified with its image, and eventually reversed the change after a fierce backlash.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The jostling grew particularly fierce between South Carolina and Nevada.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

Above a certain temperature, the system starts to work against itself; the furious beating of cilia uses up any oxygen the coral’s tissues can absorb, and then the polyps can suffocate in the less oxygenated water.

— Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
This Lusitania didn’t sink as a formal band played, but the ticking of each man’s pocket watch synchronized to form a furious percussion section, and all those wailing women’s voices layered into girl-group harmonies.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

explosions

explosive

explosively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of explosive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on explosive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

anecdote

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes