unexploded

adjective

un·​ex·​plod·​ed ˌən-ik-ˈsplō-dəd How to pronounce unexploded (audio)
: not exploded
an unexploded bomb/shell
unexploded ammunition

Examples of unexploded in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An explosion involving unexploded ordnance killed a student and injured 24 others during a school trip in northern Israel on Monday, officials said, as tensions continued across the Middle East. — Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2026 The destruction has left Palestinians struggling to find safe shelter amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and the threat of unexploded ordnance. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026 The Navy’s Military Munitions Response Program is assigned to remove unexploded munitions from target ranges that are no longer used. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026 Travelers are advised to avoid roadside ditches, shoulders and unmarked trails and never touch anything that could be unexploded munitions. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unexploded

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unexploded was circa 1889

Rhymes for unexploded

See All Rhymes for unexploded

Browse Nearby Words

unexplicitly
unexploded
unexploited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unexploded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unexploded. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All