An explosive is a substance or device that can cause an explosion.
...one-hundred-and-fifty pounds of Semtex explosive.
There were traces of explosives in the bedroom.
Synonyms: bomb, mine, shell, missile More Synonyms of explosive
2. adjective
Something that is explosive is capable of causing an explosion.
The explosive device was timed to go off at the rush hour.
Highly explosive gas is naturally found in coal mines.
Synonyms: unstable, dangerous, volatile, hazardous More Synonyms of explosive
explosivelyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB after verb]
Hydrogen is explosively flammable when mixed with oxygen.
3. adjective
An explosive growth is a sudden, rapid increase in the size or quantity of something.
The explosive growth in casinos is one of the most conspicuous signs of Westernisation.
explosivelyadverb [ADVERB after verb, ADVERB adjective]
These transactions grew explosively in the early 1980s.
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An explosive situation is likely to have difficult, serious, or dangerous effects.
He appeared to be treating the potentially explosive situation with some sensitivity.
A shortage of nursing staff contributed to the explosive atmosphere on many wards.
explosivelyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
A referendum next year would coincide explosively with the election campaign.
5. adjective
If you describe someone as explosive, you mean that they tend to express sudden violent anger.
She was unpredictable, explosive, impulsive and easily distracted.
He's inherited his father's explosive temper.
Synonyms: fiery, violent, volatile, stormy More Synonyms of explosive
explosivelyadverb [ADVERB after verb, ADVERB adjective]
'Are you mad?' David asked explosively.
6. adjective
A sudden loud noise can be described as explosive.
He made a loud, explosive noise of disgust.
...an explosive drumbeat.
explosivelyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB after verb]
The sound of her own chewing and swallowing were explosively loud.
More Synonyms of explosive
explosive in British English
(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
5.
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
6.
a plosive consonant; stop
Derived forms
explosively (exˈplosively)
adverb
explosiveness (exˈplosiveness)
noun
explosive in American English
(ɛkˈsploʊsɪv; ɪkˈsploʊsɪv)
adjective
1.
of, causing, or having the nature of, an explosion
2.
tending to explode; esp., tending to burst forth noisily
3.
likely to explode, as in violence
an explosive situation
4. Phonetics
plosive
noun
5.
a substance that can explode, as gunpowder
6. Phonetics
plosive
Derived forms
explosively (exˈplosively)
adverb
explosiveness (exˈplosiveness)
noun
Examples of 'explosive' in a sentence
explosive
Any of them could be hiding an explosive device.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He had twice been riding in an armoured vehicle that struck an improvised explosive device, and was injured once in friendly fire.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We don't need additional flashpoints, especially as the situation remains explosive here.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The explosive growth of IT infrastructures has resulted in complex distributed systems and applications whose timely management is rapidly exceeding human ability.
Computing (2010)
Security guards searched the boots of cars arriving at Old Trafford and used mirrors to look for explosive devices under vehicles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There were no explosives or weapons in the car.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The sound of a band learning how to focus their explosive power.
The Sun (2014)
We had to make these explosive belts because we have no other means to defend ourselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They either spy from up high or launch explosive attacks.
The Sun (2015)
This combination seems to provide a greenhouse for explosive growth.
Christianity Today (2000)
There were also improvised explosive devices targeting police patrols.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This can potentially be a very explosive situation.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
That explosive energy has a habit of boiling over.
The Sun (2016)
The new technology includes scanners that detect weapons and explosives in luggage.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The combination of explosive power and a light but potent touch was formidable.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Be sure you make an explosive effect.
Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)
The explosive growth in cycling is one of the main reasons for the surge.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
An explosive situation for which we have no answers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His low centre of gravity and explosive running power are huge advantages.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The want of an unlimited supply of high explosive was a fatal bar to our success.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Her explosive energy kept her ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One firm she worked for before becoming a journalist manufactured dangerous explosives, dangerously!
Gifford, Zerbanoo The Golden Thread - Asian experiences of post-Raj Britain (1990)
Few endorsements have matched your sudden explosive'Yes!
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And it's not just learning how to find dangerous explosives that the dogs have to master.
The Sun (2013)
FIGHT mid-afternoon boredom with pelvic floor exercises as these can make for explosive climaxes.
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
explosive
British English: explosive /ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/ NOUN
An explosive is a substance or device that can cause an explosion.
...one-hundred-and-fifty pounds of Semtex explosive.
American English: explosive
Arabic: مَادَّةٌ مُتَفَجِّرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: explosivo
Chinese: 爆炸物
Croatian: eksploziv
Czech: výbušnina
Danish: sprængstof
Dutch: explosief
European Spanish: explosivo
Finnish: räjähde
French: explosif
German: Sprengstoff
Greek: εκρηκτικό
Italian: esplosivo
Japanese: 爆発物
Korean: 폭발성의
Norwegian: sprengstoff
Polish: materiał wybuchowy
European Portuguese: explosivo
Romanian: explozibil
Russian: взрывчатое вещество
Latin American Spanish: explosivo
Swedish: sprängämne
Thai: สิ่งที่ระเบิดได้
Turkish: patlayıcı madde
Ukrainian: вибухова речовина
Vietnamese: chất nổ
British English: explosive ADJECTIVE
Something that is explosive is capable of causing an explosion.
The explosive device was timed to go off at the rush hour.
American English: explosive
Brazilian Portuguese: explosivo
Chinese: 能引起爆炸的
European Spanish: explosivo
French: explosif
German: explosiv
Italian: esplosivo
Japanese: 爆発性の
Korean: 폭발의
European Portuguese: explosivo
Latin American Spanish: explosivo
All related terms of 'explosive'
low explosive
an explosive of relatively low power, as used in firearms
high explosive
High explosive is an extremely powerful explosive substance.
explosive device
a device, such as a bomb , that explodes or bursts loudly and with great force
explosive forming
a rapid method of forming a metal object in which components are made by subjecting the metal to very high pressures generated by a controlled explosion
explosive welding
welding by means of a controlled explosion that rapidly forces two pieces of metal together
plastic explosive
Plastic explosive is a substance which explodes and which is used in making small bombs .
explosive cyclogenesis
a rapid drop in pressure at the centre of a storm system, causing it to become greatly intensified
high-explosive shell
a shell containing high explosive
improvised explosive device
a home-made explosive device designed to maim , harass , or kill
weather bomb
a rapid drop in pressure at the centre of a storm system, causing it to become greatly intensified
IED
An IED is a simple bomb that is made and used by someone who is not in the army , often using materials that are not usually used for making bombs. IED is an abbreviation for 'improvised explosive device'.