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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 conflagration Then light the needles in several places, starting at the base, and fan the flames into a conflagration. Peter Barrett, Outside, 30 Aug. 2025 And bumps in the early light curve of a supernova could indicate the presence of a close companion – a nearby star, brown dwarf or giant planet – that has become caught up in the conflagration. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Otherwise, his entreaties are just words that mean nothing and risk drawing the United States deeper into a moral conflagration that doesn't serve its interests. Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025 Three years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and almost two years into Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, both conflagrations have reached new heights. Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conflagration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagration
Noun
  • The scrutiny comes after the arrest of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of setting a smaller blaze six days earlier that authorities say sparked the larger inferno.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
  • His partner also appeared to help pull the man away from the inferno.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The end of hostilities could also revive deals like a joint venture between BP and Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, which had been paused during the war.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The alliance should also increase its training with an eye toward degrading or destroying the Kaliningrad facilities should direct hostilities break out.
    James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has come under fire in recent weeks as the Cowboys continue to hemorrhage points.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s everything our editors are already stocking up on for our upcoming Thanksgiving dinners and indulgent evenings spent reading by the fire.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The blackout at the power plant, occupied by Russian forces since the early days of the war, marked the tenth time the site lost connection to the grid since the military conflict began, according to the IAEA.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • From trade wars to cyber threats, these forces have moved from the margins to the center of strategic decision-making.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagration. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conflagration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!