combustible

adjective

kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl How to pronounce combustible (audio)
Definition of combustiblenext
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

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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 The inspectors discovered vessels full of flammable liquid stored near combustible materials, Oklahoma station KFOR reported, in addition to fire extinguishers that weren’t properly maintained. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026 Last year, the combustible Russian, Daniil Medvedev, invited a late-night crowd to jeer for six straight minutes after a photographer ran onto the court at match point. — Owen Lewis, Air Mail, 29 Aug. 2026 The timing is combustible The launch lands weeks after Apple sued OpenAI, alleging theft of trade secrets and confidential information about upcoming products. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 In the first three years, combustible materials like firewood, dead leaves, branches, mulch and wood chips would have to be cleared 5 feet around homes. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combustible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combustible
  1. explosive
  2. combustive
  3. flammable
  4. inflammable
  5. ignitable
  6. fiery
Adjective
  • Instead of striking the target with an explosive warhead, the laser transfers energy into the target’s surface.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In December 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave from his employment because he was exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, which is used to make explosive materials.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosive
Adjective
  • But, rolling deep with indie rock/folk torchbearers the Shins and combustive alt-rockers Silversun Pickups?
    — Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That’s made the voter roll controversy particularly combustive in West Bengal, where almost a third of the 90 million-strong population are Muslim and where the BJP has been making inroads in recent years.
    — Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Definition of combustive
Adjective
  • The chemical is highly corrosive, toxic when inhaled or touched, and flammable under specific concentrations.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The inspectors discovered vessels full of flammable liquid stored near combustible materials, Oklahoma station KFOR reported, in addition to fire extinguishers that weren’t properly maintained.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of flammable
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
Definition of inflammable
Adjective
  • Residents can dispose of corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of ignitable
Adjective
  • Big emotional moments are punctuated by striking shots of fiery, mountainside sunsets and comforting, homestead greenery.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Video from the scene shows Linton’s vehicle flying into the intersection like a missile, causing a fiery multi-car collision that left burning car parts and streaks of blood as black smoke filled the sky.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiery

Browse Nearby Words

combusted
combustible
combusting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combustible. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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