1
as in inferno
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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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 In less than two weeks, the joint U.S.-Israeli effort accomplished what many had thought impossible, delivering an extraordinary setback to Iran’s nuclear program without igniting a wider regional conflagration. Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 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 Concerned citizens across the country offered their theories about the cause of the conflagration. Matthew Beddingfield, Scientific American, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conflagration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conflagration
Noun
  • The rain, along with a phalanx of firefighters, wasn’t enough to stop the inferno that resulted.
    Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To the north, firefighters have had more luck against the Zogg Fire, a similarly fast-moving inferno that has killed four people.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The message refers to the conflict in Gaza and calls for an end to hostilities.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Children bear the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks, and are affected by the disregard for ceasefires and peace agreements.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Even still, at some point, the fire has to be quenched.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The food industry has weathered trade wars before, but this feels different in its scope and unpredictability.
    Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Grain prices have returned to normalcy after the pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war upset supply chains.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conflagration. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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