unexploded

"Unexploded" describes something, usually a bomb, shell, mine, or grenade, that was supposed to explode but did not. It is a serious word, often used in news reports, war history, and safety warnings. Imagine workers digging in an old field and finding unexploded ordnance from World War II. The object may look quiet, but it can still be very dangerous.

The word "unexploded" literally means not having exploded. It is used most often for bombs, shells, landmines, grenades, and other explosive devices that were meant to go off but did not. These objects can remain dangerous long after a battle, an air raid, or a training exercise has ended. An unexploded bomb buried in the ground, for example, may still injure or kill people if it is moved or disturbed.

Because of this, the word often appears in military reports, historical writing, archaeology, and public safety notices. You may read about bomb disposal teams removing unexploded shells from a beach, a construction crew stopping work after finding an unexploded device, or residents being warned to stay away from an area until experts arrive.

It is sometimes used figuratively, but that is much less common. In normal English, "unexploded" strongly suggests a real explosive that failed to detonate. The word carries a sense of danger, tension, and unfinished force: something that did not go off when expected and may still cause harm.