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
Many of the chemical catalysts and intermediates that were used to create commercially popular dyes like sulfur black and crystal violet also made great explosives, as was clear from the conflagrations that would break out with some regularity at dye works.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Many of the chemical catalysts and intermediates that were used to create commercially popular dyes like sulfur black and crystal violet also made great explosives, as was clear from the conflagrations that would break out with some regularity at dye works.
—Kory Stamper, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
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
In the past, geopolitical conflagrations have been framed as a matter primarily for nation states to address.
—Justin Worland, Time, 13 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
Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Many of the chemical catalysts and intermediates that were used to create commercially popular dyes like sulfur black and crystal violet also made great explosives, as was clear from the conflagrations that would break out with some regularity at dye works.
—Kory Stamper, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
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
In the past, geopolitical conflagrations have been framed as a matter primarily for nation states to address.
—Justin Worland, Time, 13 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagrations
Noun
-
His response to the Palisades and Eaton fires is to expand brush clearance efforts and home hardening.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
27 May 2026
-
Thater went to Giverny soon after losing her Altadena home to the 2025 fires, but had also spent time there on a residency in 1991.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The international effort to secure the strait would happen only once hostilities are over.—
Emma Burrows,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
-
The international effort to secure the strait would happen only once hostilities are over.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, infernos sweep through populous towns and cities.—
Susie Neilson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
But Great Power wars are more destructive than others because of their intensity and scale, because of the weapons used, and because of their tendency to spread.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
Trump has ignited various trade wars, and keeps talking up a possible conflict with Cuba.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
From Xi Jinping’s quest to regain China’s glory, to Vladimir Putin’s attempts at a new Russian empire, to the rise of populist anti-foreign attitudes in the United States, Britain, Germany, and France, negative views of others underpin many of the conflicts in today’s world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
Aside from being combat-proven in multiple modern conflicts, Turkish homegrown drones are also a leading competitor of Israel’s on the international arms market.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conflagrations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagrations. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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