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.
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
The accelerated momentum was helpful in stabilizing — or perhaps acclimating viewers to — the show’s mishmash of tones, which staple together motormouthed policy wonkery and combustible romantic chemistry.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
In a criminal complaint, authorities allege Rinderknecht caused the fire by lighting a combustible material, such as vegetation or paper, with an open flame, likely a lighter.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
As in prior moral panics, the technology proved to be an easy and tangible scapegoat, which enabled Americans to avoid grappling with the complex social factors—like deindustrialization, urban decay, and disillusioned suburban children—that led to a combustible situation ripe for tragedy.
—Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Rinderknecht — who once lived in the Pacific Palisades area — likely used a lighter that set fire to combustible material such as vegetation or paper, authorities alleged in the complaint.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combustible
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.
Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
In a criminal complaint, authorities allege Rinderknecht caused the fire by lighting a combustible material, such as vegetation or paper, with an open flame, likely a lighter.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
As in prior moral panics, the technology proved to be an easy and tangible scapegoat, which enabled Americans to avoid grappling with the complex social factors—like deindustrialization, urban decay, and disillusioned suburban children—that led to a combustible situation ripe for tragedy.
—Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Rinderknecht — who once lived in the Pacific Palisades area — likely used a lighter that set fire to combustible material such as vegetation or paper, authorities alleged in the complaint.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combustible
Cite this Entry
“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combustible. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share