Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun explosive

1 sense of explosive

Sense 1
explosive -- (a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck)
       => chemical, chemical substance -- (material produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules)

Antonyms of adj explosive

3 senses of explosive

Sense 1
explosive (vs. nonexplosive) -- (serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst; "an explosive device"; "explosive gas"; "explosive force"; "explosive violence"; "an explosive temper")

nonexplosive (vs. explosive) -- (not explosive; "nonexplosive gases"; "a nonexplosive fuel")

Sense 2
explosive, volatile -- (liable to lead to sudden change or violence; "an explosive issue"; "a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation")

INDIRECT (VIA unstable) -> stable -- (resistant to change of position or condition; "a stable ladder"; "a stable peace"; "a stable relationship"; "stable prices")

Sense 3
explosive -- (sudden and loud; "an explosive laugh")

INDIRECT (VIA sudden) -> gradual -- (proceeding in small stages; "a gradual increase in prices")

Similarity of adj explosive

3 senses of explosive

Sense 1
explosive (vs. nonexplosive) -- (serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst; "an explosive device"; "explosive gas"; "explosive force"; "explosive violence"; "an explosive temper")
       => detonative -- (exploding almost instantaneously)

Sense 2
explosive, volatile -- (liable to lead to sudden change or violence; "an explosive issue"; "a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation")
       => unstable (vs. stable) -- (lacking stability or fixity or firmness; "unstable political conditions"; "the tower proved to be unstable in the high wind"; "an unstable world economy")

Sense 3
explosive -- (sudden and loud; "an explosive laugh")
       => sudden (vs. gradual) -- (happening without warning or in a short space of time; "a sudden storm"; "a sudden decision"; "a sudden cure")

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