dynamite

1 of 3

noun

dy·​na·​mite ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt How to pronounce dynamite (audio)
Synonyms of dynamitenext
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
dynamitic
ˌdī-nə-ˈmi-tik How to pronounce dynamite (audio)
adjective

dynamite

2 of 3

verb

dynamited; dynamiting

transitive verb

1
: to blow up with dynamite
2
: to cause the failure or destruction of
dynamiter noun

dynamite

3 of 3

adjective

: terrific, wonderful
a dynamite performance

Synonyms of dynamite

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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Noun
The dynamite was then taken away from the home and safely disposed of by bomb squad technicians. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 Playing David has always felt like throwing a stick of dynamite into a game. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Verb
These live versions dynamite that meditative hollow or expand it to the size of a megachurch. — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026 Finally, Hollywood has learned how to channel and dynamite the Gen Z crowd. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Adjective
The first three episodes were dynamite, but then the fuse blew out. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 Game 1 lived up to the billing thanks to a dynamite performance from its biggest star, Jalen Brunson. — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dynamite

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek dýnamis "power, strength" + -ite entry 1 — more at dynamic entry 1

Note: Though the principal figure in the development of dynamite, Alfred nobel, was Swedish, the earliest patent for the substance (May, 1867) was filed in the United Kingdom, so the word was effectively first introduced in English rather than in Swedish or German.

Verb

derivative of dynamite entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of dynamite entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dynamite was in 1867

Rhymes for dynamite

See All Rhymes for dynamite

Browse Nearby Words

dynamitard
dynamite
dynamiter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dynamite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dynamite

1 of 2 noun
dy·​na·​mite ˈdī-nə-ˌmīt How to pronounce dynamite (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on dynamite

Nglish: Translation of dynamite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dynamite

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