combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl 
1
: capable of combustion
combustible materials, such as paper, leaves, and sawdust
combustible gases
2
: easily excited
a combustible temper
The coach had to keep the combustible players under control.
Synonyms
Examples of combustible in a Sentence
The fuel is highly combustible.
don't store oily rags and other combustible materials in a hot attic
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2017, combustible materials stored under Interstate 85 in Atlanta caught fire, causing a portion of the freeway to collapse, snarling traffic for six weeks.
—
Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023
The significance of the test flight goes well beyond the combustible violence of rocketry as performance art.
—Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
That the technology, the design, the engineering might lead us to achieve what Adam and James initially set out to achieve in terms of what the Juul could mean for people who were addicted to combustible cigarettes.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023
Aranda, as thoughtful as McGuire is combustible, blamed himself.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 1 Sep. 2023
Choose other mulches, or keep any combustible mulches at least five feet from your home.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2023
Keep in Mind This isn't a good choice for wood patios or other combustible surfaces.
—Laura (fisher) Matta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2023
Advertisement No more new cars with combustible engines after 2035?
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023
The intensifying war between Israel and Hamas, with its long-standing ties to U.S. adversary Iran, poses a combustible challenge for President Biden, who has attempted to focus his foreign policy on China and the war in Ukraine.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023
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Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023
The significance of the test flight goes well beyond the combustible violence of rocketry as performance art.
—Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
That the technology, the design, the engineering might lead us to achieve what Adam and James initially set out to achieve in terms of what the Juul could mean for people who were addicted to combustible cigarettes.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023
Aranda, as thoughtful as McGuire is combustible, blamed himself.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 1 Sep. 2023
Choose other mulches, or keep any combustible mulches at least five feet from your home.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2023
Keep in Mind This isn't a good choice for wood patios or other combustible surfaces.
—Laura (fisher) Matta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2023
Advertisement No more new cars with combustible engines after 2035?
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023
The intensifying war between Israel and Hamas, with its long-standing ties to U.S. adversary Iran, poses a combustible challenge for President Biden, who has attempted to focus his foreign policy on China and the war in Ukraine.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'combustible.' 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
“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustible. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl
1
: capable of being burned
2
: catching fire or burning easily
combustible
noun
Medical Definition
combustible
adjective
com·bus·ti·ble
kəm-ˈbəs-tə-bəl
: capable of combustion
combustible anesthetics
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