explosive

[ik-sploh-siv]

adjective

1. tending or serving to explode.

   an explosive temper; Nitroglycerin is an explosive substance.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of an explosion.

   explosive violence.

3. likely to lead to violence or hostility.

   an explosive issue.

4. Phonetics.,  plosive.

noun

1. an explosive agent or substance, as dynamite.

2. Phonetics.,  plosive.

explosive

/ ɪkˈspləʊsɪv /

adjective

1. of, involving, or characterized by an explosion or explosions

2. capable of exploding or tending to explode

3. potentially violent or hazardous; dangerous

   an explosive situation

4. phonetics another word for plosive

noun

1. a substance that decomposes rapidly under certain conditions with the production of gases, which expand by the heat of the reaction. The energy released is used in firearms, blasting, and rocket propulsion

2. a plosive consonant; stop

Other Word Forms

• explosively adverb
• explosiveness noun
• nonexplosive adjective
• nonexplosively adverb
• nonexplosiveness noun
• unexplosive adjective
• unexplosively adverb
• unexplosiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explosive¹

First recorded in 1660–70; explos(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

For “Task,” Jones asked her bashful but patient scene partner to redo one scene, an explosive fight Maeve has with Robbie, quite a few times, eager to get the perfect take.

From Los Angeles Times

For the neutrals, London City Lionesses are an explosive addition to the WSL, a side who are threatening to disrupt the usual order.

From BBC

Cutting loose with his groundstrokes, Fearnley managed to prolong the match - wowing the crowd with explosive hitting and impressive athleticism - but it came too late.

From BBC

Last week, three soldiers were killed in a drone attack in the country's south-west, where explosive devices were dropped on members of the navy and army who were manning a checkpoint.

From BBC

These are "dual-use weapons", meaning their warhead can be either nuclear or conventional high explosive.

From BBC

Related Words

• fiery 
• frenzied 
• hazardous 
• meteoric 
• stormy 
• tense 
• touchy 
• ugly 
• uncontrollable 
• unstable 
• violent