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

How the Commanders can win: Eliminate or at least limit the explosive plays, a weakness of the Commanders defense.

From Los Angeles Times

A suspected explosive device he was wearing was found not to be viable, police said.

From BBC

Sir Stephen added the attacker had been wearing "a vest which had the appearance of an explosive device".

From BBC

More than seven million people tuned in for the explosive finale of the third series.

From BBC

The attacker was wearing a suspected explosive device, which GMP have said was not viable, when he drove a car at crowds before stabbing a number of people.

From BBC

Related Words

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