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

• explosiveness noun
• explosively adverb
• 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

That alone makes it an explosive and compelling story – one that is capturing the public's attention in ways a typical political story does not.

From BBC

Mr Sattizahn and Ms Savage are just the latest former Meta employees to come forward with explosive allegations about the company.

From BBC

"Sometimes a lot of these drones are decoys - without explosives - just to weaken our air defence systems," Mr Musiienko explained.

From BBC

The Israeli military said four soldiers were killed in Gaza City on Monday when a group of militants threw an explosive device into a tank.

From Los Angeles Times

But with the game evolving, Miller, who puts her explosive footwork down to her younger years Highland dancing, defies the norm.

From BBC

Related Words

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