explosive
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explosive
Having the property of being able to explode or cause an explosion. Refers to substances or objects that react very sensitively to ignition, pressure, or impact.
Der Umgang mit explosivem Material erfordert höchste Sicherheitsvorkehrungen.
Handling explosive material requires the highest safety precautions.
explosive
Describes a very tense, volatile situation that can escalate at any moment and lead to conflict or chaos.
Die politische Stimmung im Land war äußerst explosiv.
The political mood in the country was extremely explosive.
explosive
Used figuratively for a sudden, rapid, and often uncontrolled development or increase.
Die Kosten für das Projekt sind explosiv angestiegen.
The costs for the project have increased explosively.
explosive
Describes a person who tends to have sudden and violent outbursts of anger; a hot-tempered character.
Sein explosives Temperament macht die Zusammenarbeit mit ihm schwierig.
His explosive temperament makes working with him difficult.
The adjective 'explosiv' (explosive) belongs to the word family of 'die Explosion' (explosion, noun) and 'explodieren' (to explode, verb). If you know one word from this family, you can understand the others more easily.
Die Feuerwehr warnte vor der Gefahr einer Explosion.
The fire department warned of the danger of an explosion.
In its literal meaning, 'explosiv' (explosive) is often combined with nouns that describe chemical substances. Typical phrases are 'explosive Stoffe' (explosive substances), 'explosives Material' (explosive material), or an 'explosives Gasgemisch' (explosive gas mixture).
Feuerwerk enthält explosive Stoffe und muss vorsichtig behandelt werden.
Fireworks contain explosive substances and must be handled carefully.
In the figurative sense, the word describes a tense situation. Common combinations are 'eine explosive Stimmung' (an explosive mood), 'eine explosive Lage' (an explosive situation), or 'eine explosive Atmosphäre' (an explosive atmosphere).
Nach der umstrittenen Entscheidung war die Stimmung im Team explosiv.
After the controversial decision, the mood in the team was explosive.
This figurative meaning is often used for rapid developments, usually involving numbers or data. Typical phrases are 'ein explosiver Anstieg' (an explosive increase), 'eine explosive Zunahme' (an explosive rise), or 'explosives Wachstum' (explosive growth).
Die Nachfrage nach den neuen Smartphones ist explosiv gestiegen.
Demand for the new smartphones has risen explosively.
To describe a person with a hot-tempered character, 'explosiv' (explosive) is often combined with 'Temperament' (temperament) or 'Charakter' (character). People then speak of an 'explosiven Temperament' (explosive temperament).
Wegen seines explosiven Temperaments hat er oft Streit mit Kollegen.
Because of his explosive temperament, he often argues with colleagues.
charged / loaded / invited
Geladen and explosiv can both describe a very tense atmosphere. Geladen emphasizes the tension or aggression that is already present, while explosiv additionally expresses a particularly high and immediate risk of escalation. Explosiv is therefore more appropriate for a conflict that is on the verge of breaking out.
Als mehrere Teilnehmer aufsprangen und schrien, wurde die Atmosphäre bei der Sitzung explosiv.
When several participants jumped up and started shouting, the atmosphere at the meeting became explosive.
Nach dem heftigen Streit war die Atmosphäre bei der Sitzung geladen.
After the heated argument, the atmosphere at the meeting was charged.
