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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of conflagrations
Israel says its operation in Lebanon aims to destroy Hezbollah, and its scope has already exceeded previous conflagrations between the nation and the Shiite group.
—
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Disciple, which premiered last night at Sundance, is designed first and foremost as a portrait of Cilvaringz, and doubles as a testament to both the lingua franca power of hip-hop and the ability of obsession to fuel four-alarm conflagrations of creative ambition.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
She was involved, of course, but not in the direct line of fire in either of these conflagrations.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
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
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Disciple, which premiered last night at Sundance, is designed first and foremost as a portrait of Cilvaringz, and doubles as a testament to both the lingua franca power of hip-hop and the ability of obsession to fuel four-alarm conflagrations of creative ambition.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
She was involved, of course, but not in the direct line of fire in either of these conflagrations.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagrations
Noun
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That evening, residents said fires burned two uninhabited homes that sat on active farm and grazing lands.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After all, a bit more than a decade later, hostilities would explode anew in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, during which Nasser shut the canal again.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The exception, of course, is the oil companies that get a free ride off the hostilities.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now, infernos sweep through populous towns and cities.—
Susie Neilson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
One source likened it to Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the beverages industry or McDonald’s and Burger King in the burger wars.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The current conflict is sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, but is distinctive from the earlier two wars in important respects, including so far relying on executive authority alone.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in recent years, the glittering spectacle, meant to celebrate unity, has been overshadowed by global conflicts which have seeped onto the stage.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Escalating geopolitical conflicts have disrupted oil flows and contributed to a surge in gas prices in the past.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflagrations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagrations. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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