explosive

[US]/ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/
[UK]/ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. capable of exploding or causing explosions, sudden and potentially violent
n. a substance or device capable of producing a sudden and violent release of energy

Phrases & Collocations

highly explosive

explosive materials

explosive device

explosive welding

emulsion explosive

explosive gas

high explosive

explosive force

explosive power

explosive mixture

explosive atmosphere

explosive material

nitrate explosive

explosive powder

explosive ordnance disposal

Example Sentences

The event took an explosive turn.

possession of explosives will be an extraditable offence.

soft-pedal a potentially explosive issue.

The question of race today is an explosive one.

Race relations are an explosive issue.

They have primed the explosive device.

the explosive growth of personal computers in the 1980s.

The terrorists charged the bomb with an explosive substance.

The principle is introduced in this paper how to determine the explosive technique parameters in manufacture of the copper/steel kelmet scaleboard with the method of explosive welding.

explosives specialists tried to defuse the grenade.

a submarine eruption will be much more explosive than its terrestrial counterpart.

Gasfired heaters should not be used in corrosive or explosive atmosphere.

The miners put some explosives in the mine, to loosen the coal.

They must have planted many explosives there.

Real-world Examples

Dogs are already used to sniff out explosives, food.

Source: CNN 10 Student English Compilation September 2020

Venezuelan officials say drones carrying plastic explosives targeted Maduro.

Source: PBS English News

Suicide bombers detonated their explosives at three churches across the country.

Source: CNN 10 Student English April 2019 Collection

Early reports about other possible explosives turned out to be wrong.

Source: CNN Listening Collection April 2013

A female suicide bomber detonated her explosives and a floor collapsed.

Source: CNN Selected November 2015 Collection

Kelly already told me you set the explosives in the bank.

Source: TV series Person of Interest Season 2

I'm guessing it's something even more explosive than that...

Source: TV series Person of Interest Season 3

He shows us a few rusting guns and some explosives.

Source: CNN 10 Student English of the Month

We will find who planted these explosives and they will be punished.

Source: CNN Select September 2016 Collection

Officials say most of the victims were killed when kidnappers set up explosives.

Source: CNN Listening Collection November 2012

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