1
as in fires
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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Recent Examples of conflagrations
But, throughout the decades, housing developments crept toward wildlands, the climate warmed, and fires increasingly escalated into unstoppable urban conflagrations.
—
Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
As Southern California nears the heart of wildfire season, rebuilding is merely inching forward in areas hit by the most destructive conflagrations in Los Angeles history.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
King commanding the stage with inventive conflagrations, fleet unison fingerwork by Collier and Philion, Rogers-Kaufman offering solos both cerebral and thrilling, and Damien winging through long features with the agility of a sparrow.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 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
Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
As Southern California nears the heart of wildfire season, rebuilding is merely inching forward in areas hit by the most destructive conflagrations in Los Angeles history.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
King commanding the stage with inventive conflagrations, fleet unison fingerwork by Collier and Philion, Rogers-Kaufman offering solos both cerebral and thrilling, and Damien winging through long features with the agility of a sparrow.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagrations
Noun
-
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows travelers to bring laptops on flights, but they must be stored in carry-on baggage only because fires are much harder to fight in cargo storage.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2018 and 2022, an average of 835 home fires started with decorations, with a third traced back to candles.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One can be sure that the utility of having hostilities with Venezuela for this case is not lost on the administration.—
David Smilde,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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Trump will use the lull in hostilities to build a secure rare earths supply chain.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Over the course of human evolution, there were pandemics, there were wars, but people didn't die from Alzheimer's disease or diabetes or heart disease.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In an era of tariffs and global trade wars, brands can’t rely on low prices as a crutch—the model is eroding under scrutiny.—
Catherine Salfino,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Observers say other violent conflicts arise from communal and ethnic tensions, as well as disputes between farmers and herders over limited access to land and water resources.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That's not to minimize our current conflicts.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Conflagrations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagrations. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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