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

Derived Forms

• exˈplosiveness, noun
• exˈplosively, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·plosive·ly adverb
• ex·plosive·ness noun
• nonex·plosive adjective noun
• nonex·plosive·ly adverb
• nonex·plosive·ness noun
• unex·plosive adjective
• unex·plosive·ly adverb
• unex·plosive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explosive¹

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

Example Sentences

A raw fable about looking up instead of feeling down, “Bird” shows writer-director Andrea Arnold back in a familiar milieu of cramped youth on the periphery, making do with what little is available, seesawing between explosive anger and playful respite.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1989, when climate politics was still fledgling, he warned that the effects of warming were going to prove explosive along America’s borders — and that, left unresolved, communities could disintegrate into violence.

From Salon

A former explosive ordnance specialist who was awarded a Bronze Star during Operation Enduring Freedom, he had developed into a quiet but effective leader.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators have not officially confirmed whether the liquid-filled bag was determined to be a bomb or other explosive, but one law enforcement source familiar with the situation told The Times it “for sure was intended to hurt someone.”

From Los Angeles Times

But activists have put forward what could be other motives behind the explosive leak.

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• booby trap
• detonator
• dynamite
• gunpowder
• mine
• missile
• munition
• powder