Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not explosive; not capable of or designed to cause an explosion. It describes a substance, device, or material that is safe from detonating or bursting violently.

Usage

The adjective "nonexplosive" is used to classify and describe materials or situations specifically to indicate the absence of explosive properties. It is often used in technical, scientific, and safety contexts. * It typically precedes the noun it modifies (e.g., a nonexplosive mixture). * It can be used after a linking verb like "is" or "are" (e.g., The compound is nonexplosive).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • For safety, the demolition team used a nonexplosive method to bring down the old structure.
  • This chemical is stable and nonexplosive under normal storage conditions.
  • The canister was labeled as containing nonexplosive compressed air.

Advanced Usage

• "to be rendered nonexplosive": to be made safe by removing or neutralizing explosive components.
  • The old munitions were carefully rendered nonexplosive before disposal.

Variants and Related Words

• Non-explosive: A hyphenated variant with the same meaning. The hyphen is often used for clarity, especially in formal technical writing.
• Inert (adj): Lacking active chemical or explosive properties; often used interchangeably in specific contexts, though "inert" has a broader meaning (e.g., chemically inactive).
• Stable (adj): Not likely to change or decompose violently; resistant to exploding.

Synonyms

• Non-detonating
• Inert (in the context of explosives)
• Safe (from explosion)

Antonyms

• Explosive
• Volatile
• Detonating

Related Phrases

• Nonexplosive ordnance: Military supplies (like smoke grenades or flares) that are designed not to detonate with fragmenting force.
• Nonexplosive demolition: The process of dismantling structures using methods like hydraulic bursting or sawing, instead of using explosives.

Adjective

1. not explosive
   • nonexplosive gases
   • a nonexplosive fuel