explosively
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛksplˈəʊsɪvli/
US
- /ˌɛksˈploʊsɪvli/
Description
- suddenly and violently
- very quickly and powerfully
- with a blast
"Explosively" describes something that happens with the sudden force of an explosion, or with very fast, powerful growth or change. Sometimes the meaning is literal, as when something bursts apart explosively. Often it is figurative. A business may grow explosively, a crowd may react explosively, or anger may rise explosively in a tense moment. The word adds a feeling of speed, force, and sudden release.
The word "explosively" describes something happening with the sudden, forceful energy of an explosion. Sometimes it is used in a literal way, when something actually bursts, breaks apart, or goes off with violent force. A device might fail explosively, or fireworks might burst explosively in the sky.
Very often, though, the word is used figuratively. It can describe rapid growth, as when a company grows explosively or interest in a new app rises explosively in just a few weeks. It can also describe sudden emotional or social reactions. An argument may turn explosively angry, or a crowd may respond explosively to surprising news. In these cases, the idea is not only that something happens fast, but that it happens with unusual force and intensity.
The word usually suggests more than simple speed. It carries a sense of pressure being released all at once, or of change happening so quickly and strongly that it feels hard to control. News can spread explosively online, violence can erupt explosively after a tense silence, and demand for a product can rise explosively after a major event. In both literal and figurative uses, "explosively" points to suddenness, power, and a sharp jump in energy or scale.
Examples
- 1
Chemical reaction
Some cleaning products can react explosively if you mix them.
- 2
Fire spread
The fire spread explosively through the dry grass.
- 3
Business growth
The startup grew explosively after a famous athlete mentioned it online.
- 4
Angry response
He responded explosively when his manager questioned the numbers.
- 5
Political tension
Tensions between the two groups rose explosively after the election results.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- explosivelyadverb