dy·na·mite
ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt 
1
: an explosive that is made of nitroglycerin absorbed in a porous material and that often contains ammonium nitrate or cellulose nitrate
also
: an explosive (such as a mixture of ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose) that contains no nitroglycerin
2
: one that has a powerful effect
an actress who's dynamite at the box office
also
: something that has great potential to cause trouble or conflict
an issue regarded as political dynamite
dynamited; dynamiting
dynamiter
noun
Synonyms
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of dynamite in a Sentence
Noun
The death penalty is political dynamite.
Verb
They plan to dynamite the old building.
Adjective
They put on a dynamite performance.
a summer blockbuster that features some really dynamite special effects
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
Start with Alfred Nobel’s dynamite, the first explosive to unlock the staggering — but unstable — energy potential of nitroglycerin.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for dynamite 
Noun
Still, all of that was merely packing the dynamite.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
Start with Alfred Nobel’s dynamite, the first explosive to unlock the staggering — but unstable — energy potential of nitroglycerin.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for dynamite
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dynamite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dynamite
Cite this Entry
“Dynamite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamite. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dynamite
1 of 2 noun
dy·na·mite
ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt
: an explosive that is made chiefly of nitroglycerin absorbed in another substance
also
: an explosive that contains no nitroglycerin
dynamite
2 of 2 verb
dynamited; dynamiting
: to blow up with dynamite
dynamiter
noun
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