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as in hostilities
a state of armed violent struggle between states, nations, or groups
what began as a skirmish over disputed territory erupted into a conflagration that swept the continent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of conflagration
The conflagration turned more than 14,021 acres to ash, killed 19 people, destroyed 9,414 structures, and badly burned another 1,074.
—
Pat Maio, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
The Great Kanto Earthquake and the ensuing conflagration killed 140,000 people, traumatized the country, and set back Japanese industrial production for years.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Most European leaders have trodden a fine line between offering limited support for US military action against Iran and warning of a regional conflagration.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Mar. 2026
The price of oil jumped quickly and has risen steadily as the prospect of a longer conflagration grows more likely.
—Justin Worland, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conflagration
Pat Maio, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
The Great Kanto Earthquake and the ensuing conflagration killed 140,000 people, traumatized the country, and set back Japanese industrial production for years.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Most European leaders have trodden a fine line between offering limited support for US military action against Iran and warning of a regional conflagration.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Mar. 2026
The price of oil jumped quickly and has risen steadily as the prospect of a longer conflagration grows more likely.
—Justin Worland, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for conflagration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagration
Noun
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The Sheriff’s Office had recused itself from the investigation days after the inferno.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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At one point, eight tower ladders surrounded the building, shooting water onto the inferno from all directions, limiting the flames from spreading to other buildings.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Australian law defines war crime murder as the intentional killing in a context of armed conflict of a person who is not taking an active part in the hostilities, such as a civilian, prisoner of war or a wounded soldier.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Markets have rallied in recent days amid hopes of a de-escalation in hostilities across multiple fronts, with equities rebounding back to pre-conflict levels.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Indian ship was one of two vessels bearing that country’s flag that came under fire by the IRGC Navy on Saturday.—
Max Rego,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
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The incident reportedly involved a magnesium fire — an intense and highly dangerous blaze that cannot be extinguished with water — that stemmed from an apparent malfunction in oxygen sensor equipment, allowing oxygen levels to rise.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The war prompted Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that facilitates the transport of 20 million barrels of oil per day, or about one-fifth of the global supply.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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As fallout from the war with Iran keeps fuel prices high, few states are making moves to suspend their gas and diesel taxes.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagration. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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