as in explosive
capable of catching or being set on fire
don't store oily rags and other combustible materials in a hot attic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of combustible
In densely populated neighborhoods of flimsy wooden houses, charcoal braziers tumbled over, fuel tanks ruptured, combustible chemicals in apothecaries exploded, and high winds fanned the flames through alleys.
—
Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
The combustible Bublik, meanwhile, played to type, obliterating his racket after losing the second set against Hijikata.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Mendrick’s rhetoric on immigration has been the most combustible.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Suggestions for this zone are to remove combustible items and vegetation; screen vents and fill gaps in or totally enclose eaves; and clear debris from a home’s roof, gutters and deck.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combustible
Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
The combustible Bublik, meanwhile, played to type, obliterating his racket after losing the second set against Hijikata.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Mendrick’s rhetoric on immigration has been the most combustible.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Suggestions for this zone are to remove combustible items and vegetation; screen vents and fill gaps in or totally enclose eaves; and clear debris from a home’s roof, gutters and deck.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combustible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combustible
Adjective
-
Police have arrested two more people over an attempt to place a homemade explosive device outside the Paris headquarters of Bank of America, the French domestic security service said Sunday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Best Time to Do These Exercises Plyometric and explosive work should be performed at the beginning of a session, after the warm-up, when the body is fresh.—
Jim Diehl CSCS,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Modesto Fire said the teenager was attempting to re-light a barbecue using a flammable liquid when the fire suddenly flashed, igniting and causing significant burns.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Many works of Georges Méliès are even believed to have been burned as the original negatives, as the nitrate film stock is incredibly fragile and inflammable.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The facility at 6411 Oak Canyon was slated to close at the end of 2025, but city leaders changed plans recently and area residents can continue to visit the site to dispose of paint cans, batteries and anything that contains corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
-
The training process also exposes canines to six classifications of ignitable liquids.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If left alone, the spacecraft will lose the race later this year and fall out of orbit, bringing a fiery end to its long scientific tenure.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
-
This is how friends and family described 18-year-old Park Hill High School senior Tessa Walker, who was killed in a fiery crash in rural Platte County early Sunday morning.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combustible. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
