explosive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst

   an explosive device

2. 2
   adj

   sudden and loud

   an explosive laugh

3. 3
   adj

   liable to lead to sudden change or violence

   an explosive issue

4. 4
   adj

   Able to, or likely to, explode.

   an explosive device

5. 5
   adj

   Having the character of an explosion.

   an explosive fire

6. 6
   adj

   Rapidly accelerating.

   Near-synonym: plyometric

7. 7
   adj

   Shocking; startling.

   an explosive accusation

8. 8
   adj

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

   He has an explosive personality.

Etymology

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