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1explosive

adjective ex·plo·sive \ik-ˈsplō-siv, -ziv\

: able to cause an explosion : used for exploding something

: relating to an explosion or caused by an explosion

: tending to get angry very easily

Full Definition of EXPLOSIVE

1
a :  relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion <an explosive hatch>
b :  resulting from or as if from an explosion <explosive population growth>
2
a :  tending to explode <an explosive person>
b :  likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence <an explosive ghetto situation>
— ex·plo·sive·ly adverb
— ex·plo·sive·ness noun
See explosive defined for English-language learners
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First Known Use of EXPLOSIVE

1667

Related to EXPLOSIVE

Synonyms
acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, intense, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent
Antonyms
light, moderate, soft

Rhymes with EXPLOSIVE

corrosive, erosive, implosive

2explosive

noun

: a substance (such as dynamite) that is used to cause an explosion : an explosive substance

Full Definition of EXPLOSIVE

1
:  an explosive substance
2
:  a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation when it occurs in certain environments :  stop
See explosive defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of EXPLOSIVE

1849
EXPLOSIVE Defined for Kids

1explosive

adjective ex·plo·sive \ik-ˈsplō-siv, -ziv\

Definition of EXPLOSIVE for Kids

1
:  able to cause explosion <the explosive power of gunpowder>
2
:  tending to show anger easily :  likely to explode <an explosive temper>
— ex·plo·sive·ly adverb

2explosive

noun

Definition of EXPLOSIVE for Kids

:  a substance that is used to cause an explosion

Learn More About EXPLOSIVE

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12 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. explosive
  2. explosive evolution
  3. explosive oil
  4. explosive rivet
  5. explosive train
  6. high explosive
  7. liquid-oxygen explosive
  8. low explosive
  9. permitted explosive
  10. primary explosive
  11. safety explosive
  12. Sprengel explosive
Next Word in the Dictionary: explosive evolutionPrevious Word in the Dictionary: explosion shotAll Words Near: explosive
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