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Synonyms

plosive

American  
[ploh-siv] / ˈploʊ sɪv /

adjective

  1. (of a stop consonant or occlusive) characterized by release in a plosion; explosive.


noun

  1. Also called explosive.  a plosive speech sound.

plosive British  
/ ˈpləʊsɪv /

adjective

  1. articulated with or accompanied by plosion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a plosive consonant; stop

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of plosive

First recorded in 1895–1900; shortened form of explosive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But it was the plosive consonants of her own language that best gave shape to her anger.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2022

About why the name Kramer worked best for Michael Richards’s character, she writes, “That plosive consonant K sound is known to be among the English language’s funniest phonemes.”

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2016

The plosive sounds - usually made with the letters P, T, K, B, D and G - had to be substituted with other consonants that didn’t require moving her lips.

From Washington Times • Jun. 12, 2016

With their matching plosive names, Shipton and Tilman certainly seem more demotic, more 21st century, than those who came before – such as Mummery or Mallory.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2013

For an instant, a wave of rage filled Richard, a plosive pure fury at his wife for not being here where she was needed.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 26, 2012