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explosive Definition

ex·plo·sive (ek splō′siv, ik-)

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. Phonet. plosive

noun

  1. a substance that can explode, as gunpowder
  2. Phonet. plosive

explosive Related Forms
ex·plo′·sively adverb ex·plo′·sive·ness noun
explosive Synonyms

explosive

modif.

  1. Eruptive

    bursting, detonating, dangerous, convulsive, fulminating, atomic, fulminant, fiery, volcanic, flammable, inflammable, combustible.

    Antonyms harmless*, burned out, quenched.

  2. Violent; said of persons or events

    volatile, stormy, fiery, combustible, inflammable, excitable, touchy, unstable, charged, loaded, dangerous, perilous, volcanic, raging, hot-tempered, short-tempered, tense, sensitive, touch-and-go, critical; see also dangerous 1, excitable.

    Antonyms gentle*, mild*, uneventful.

explosive Synonyms

explosive

n.

mine, gunpowder, ammunition, high explosive, detonator, propellant, bomb, missile, grenade, charge, shell, Molotov cocktail*; see also ammunition, mine 2, munitions. see also atomic energy.

Common explosives include: dynamite, nitroglycerine, TNT, Trinitrotoluene, saltpeter, hexamine, hexamethylenetetramine, ballistite, gun cotton, nitrate compound, nitro cotton, cellulose nitrate, pyroxylin, melinite, gelignite, cordite, plastique, Semtex, lyddite, nitro*, peter*, soup*, vaseline*, grease*, powder*, sawdust*, bang juice*;

explosive Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • detonate: The Mole evacuates the area and Brains detonates the explosives.
  • improvise: A scar runs along the left side of his face, possibly the product of an accident with improvised explosives.
  • conceal: During part of 1989 I carried out research into a practical method of detecting explosives concealed in aircraft baggage.
  • hide: He would be told to get as much explosives hidden as possible at a predetermined location.
  • detect: During part of 1989 I carried out research into a practical method of detecting explosives concealed in aircraft baggage.
  • carry: Wires and candles stuffed into a jacket made it look like he was carrying explosives.

Adjective modifier

  • home-made: Often these bombs contained hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of pounds of home-made explosives.
  • liquid: Binary liquid explosives are a sexy staple of Hollywood thrillers.
  • conventional: In order for detonation to occur, a sphere of plutonium has to be rapidly compressed by a series of conventional high explosives.
  • plastic: They are shot and blown apart with plastic explosives.
  • high: The terrorists ' weapons of choice are high explosives.
  • nuclear: OBL now claims that he has nuclear explosives at his disposal, so I guess we must await his first shot.

Modifies a noun

  • eruption: A more violent explosive eruption can happen in near future.
  • remnant: We need to deal with other explosive remnants of war.
  • device: Nuclear weapon Explosive device deriving its power from fission or fusion of nuclei or from both.
  • atmosphere: In addition, electrical hazards include potential ignition of explosive atmospheres, which can be induced by very low voltages.
  • bomb: A high explosive bomb was dropped in Rye Avenue, Mile Cross.
  • mixture: A fiery, explosive mixture is now ready for the spark.

Modifying Another Word

  • potentially: Arabs are now in the majority throughout - creating a potentially explosive mix.
  • politically: Artistically brilliant and politically explosive, it was, above all, superb theater.