radioactive
adjective
ra·dio·ac·tive
ˌrā-dē-ō-ˈak-tiv 
1
: of, caused by, or exhibiting radioactivity
radioactive isotopes
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that arises naturally from the ground because of the decay of radioactive elements commonly found in rocks and many types of soil. In a chain of radioactive decay, uranium produces radium, which gives off radon, which in turn produces radioactive breakdown products that are harmful if inhaled.—
Warren E. Leary
Warren E. Leary2
: so divisive or controversial as to require avoidance
He has been deemed radioactive by most charitable organizations … and organized competition, even local stuff, is largely closed off to him.—Asher Price
Asher PriceAlmost all women—and therefore men—use a form of birth control at some point in their lives, yet contraception is so politically and legally radioactive that legislators and pharmaceutical companies avoid funding it.—Karen Weise
Karen WeiseSubsequent polling data show that the quota issue is perhaps the most powerful one in our politics … A House Democratic aide says, "The quota issue is radioactive." The result has been nothing less than panic in the Democratic ranks.—Elizabeth Drew
Elizabeth Drew
radioactively
adverb
Plutonium is the only one of these transuranic elements that can exist a fair amount of time before radioactively decaying into lighter elements.
—James Kaler
James Kaler
Examples of radioactive in a Sentence
Uranium and plutonium are radioactive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Treatment for the disease includes radioactive iodine therapy, in which the patient takes radioactive iodine by mouth to destroy the cells that make thyroid hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024
On Wednesday, Nygren issued an executive order requiring Energy Fuels to sign an agreement with the tribe before hauling radioactive material through the Navajo Nation.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2024
Former President Trump's comments about Vice President Harris to the National Association of Black Journalists are being treated as radioactive by many Republicans.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024
Exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and radon, a radioactive gas with no smell or color that's typically found in rocks, soil and burning coal and fossil fuels, can also cause lung cancer, according to the ACS.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for radioactive 
Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024
On Wednesday, Nygren issued an executive order requiring Energy Fuels to sign an agreement with the tribe before hauling radioactive material through the Navajo Nation.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2024
Former President Trump's comments about Vice President Harris to the National Association of Black Journalists are being treated as radioactive by many Republicans.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024
Exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and radon, a radioactive gas with no smell or color that's typically found in rocks, soil and burning coal and fossil fuels, can also cause lung cancer, according to the ACS.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for radioactive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radioactive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Radioactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radioactive. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
radioactive
adjective
ra·dio·ac·tive
ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈak-tiv
: of, caused by, or exhibiting radioactivity
radioactively
adverb
Medical Definition
radioactive
adjective
ra·dio·ac·tive
ˌrād-ē-ō-ˈak-tiv
: of, caused by, or exhibiting radioactivity
radioactive isotopes
radioactively
adverb
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