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explosive Meaning & Definition

/ɛkˈspləʊsɪv/

What Does Explosive Mean?

Explosive is used as an adjective meaning Able to, or likely to, explode. It can also mean Having the character of an explosion. As a noun, it means Any explosive substance.

Explosive in Brief

Part of speechadjective, noun
Pronunciation//ɛkˈspləʊsɪv//
Syllables1
Synonymsvolatile, unstable and sudden
Antonymsnonexplosive
Pluralexplosives
Comparative / superlativemore explosive, most explosive

Explosive Definition (Adjective)

  1. Able to, or likely to, explode.

    an explosive device

  2. Having the character of an explosion.

    an explosive fire

  3. Of a specific cellular automaton rule, tending to exhibit infinite and unpredictable growth when starting from finite random patterns.
  4. Rapidly accelerating.

    explosive movements

  5. Shocking; startling.

    an explosive accusation

  6. Easily driven to anger, usually with reference to a person.

    He has an explosive personality.

  7. Synonym of plosive.

    the explosive consonants

Explosive as a Noun

  1. Any explosive substance.
  2. A plosive.

Adjective

  1. With the capability to, or likely to, explode.

    an explosive device

Synonyms of Explosive

Explosive synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Explosive

Explosive in a Sentence

an explosive device

an explosive fire

explosive movements

an explosive accusation

He has an explosive personality.

the explosive consonants

Word Forms & Grammar

explosive (comparative more explosive, superlative most explosive)

explosive (plural explosives)

Words That Rhyme With Explosive

corrosiveerosivenociveplosivebellicose ofcellulose ofclose ofdolorosa ofdose offormosa ofglucose ofgrandiose ofgros ofgross oflos ofmucosa ofnervosa ofnitrocellulose ofoverdose ofsosa of

Origin of Explosive

From Latin explōs-, stem of the perfect passive participle of explōdō + the suffix -ive.

How Do You Say Explosive?

The standard pronunciation of explosive is //ɛkˈspləʊsɪv//, spoken in 1 syllable.

Explosive: Your Questions Answered

Is explosive an adjective or a noun?

Explosive is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for explosive?

Words with a similar meaning to explosive include volatile, unstable and sudden. See the full list of explosive synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of explosive?

The opposite of explosive is nonexplosive.

What is the plural of explosive?

The plural of explosive is explosives.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of explosive?

The comparative form is more explosive and the superlative form is most explosive.

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