conflagration

noun

con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce conflagration (audio)
Synonyms of conflagration
1
: fire
especially : a large disastrous fire
The conflagration destroyed the warehouses.
2
: conflict, war
The conflagration between the two countries lasted for ten years.

Synonyms of conflagration

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Examples of conflagration in a Sentence

The treaty is the latest attempt to resolve the ten-year conflagration. the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration
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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.
More than 100 firefighters were assigned to the incident, working on the ground to attack the conflagration with hose-lines. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Firefighters appeared to make progress in battling the fire, reporting Wednesday that the conflagration did not expand overnight. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 8 July 2026 Hot, dry conditions across states from California to Colorado to Utah have officials worried that any stray spark from fireworks could ignite an out-of-control conflagration. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 June 2026 The last two songs ended in all-out thrash conflagrations, delighting the slam-dancers at the center of the floor. — Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for conflagration

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin conflagrātiōn-, conflagrātiō, from conflagrāre "to be destroyed by fire, be burnt down" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at conflagrant

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conflagration was in 1600

Rhymes for conflagration

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Browse Nearby Words

conflagrate
conflagration
conflagrator
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Cite this Entry

“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflagration. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conflagration

noun
con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce conflagration (audio)
: a large disastrous fire

More from Merriam-Webster on conflagration

Nglish: Translation of conflagration for Spanish Speakers

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