like wildfire

phrase

Synonyms of like wildfirenext
: very rapidly
the news spread like wildfire

Examples of like wildfire 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.
Things like wildfire risk or the suitability of the land as deer habitat can be modeled based on the types of trees present. — Zack Parisamax Nova, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of like wildfire was in 1699

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Cite this Entry

“Like wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/like%20wildfire. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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