Definition of conflagrationnext
1
as in inferno
a destructive burning the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration

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2
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

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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 conflagration In their terrifying report, these researchers spell out the doomsday denouement of most of the planet’s peoples following a nuclear conflagration. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 These conflagrations follow the historic fires that raged in France and Spain last month, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Fourteen people were injured — two critically — in the conflagration and taken to local hospitals. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 The conflagration began near Hogan Dam Road and Gann Road, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conflagration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagration
Noun
  • Four cars and two storage containers were damaged by the inferno, the fire department said.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The crew use three tiers of flame bars behind Howell to spark the inferno that will snake through prom, fueled by the growing intensity of Carrie’s powers.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Investigators were still trying to determine how the two groups were related to each other and what prompted hostilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated Moscow's demand for a comprehensive peace deal, not a temporary break in hostilities, following Ukraine's call for a complete and unconditional ceasefire.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The following year, the Bridge fire forced the town’s evacuation and burned 13 homes.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Imagine staring up at the stars through a skylight, a mug of chamomile in hand and a fire crackling in the wood stove.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The diplomatic push comes as physical supply data shows the war’s toll on the oil market easing.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • That deal seeks to temporarily manage shipping traffic on what was seen as an international waterway before the war.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagration. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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