combustible

adjective

kəm-ˈbə-stə-bəl How to pronounce combustible (audio)
Definition of combustiblenext
as in explosive
capable of catching or being set on fire don't store oily rags and other combustible materials in a hot attic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 combustible Nearly all the fires were ignited with a lighter and combustible material, the affidavit reads. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 Trees lose moisture over extended periods of exceptional heat and dryness, becoming progressively more combustible. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 The agency also suggested replacing combustible fences attached to the home with a noncombustible option. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The area within 5 feet of a home, known as Zone 0, should be kept free of combustible materials. — John Abatzoglou, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combustible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combustible
  1. explosive
  2. combustive
  3. flammable
  4. inflammable
  5. ignitable
  6. fiery
Adjective
  • In June, the FBI arrested five suspects in an alleged plot to target the Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House South Lawn with explosive-laden drones.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the explosive Coleman Report unleashed a 60-year debate over race, resources, and what education in America is actually for.
    — Rund Abdelfatah, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosive
Adjective
  • That’s made the voter roll controversy particularly combustive in West Bengal, where almost a third of the 90 million-strong population are Muslim and where the BJP has been making inroads in recent years.
    — Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Definition of combustive
Adjective
  • But while the buildings appeared to be marble, they were actually made of extremely flammable plaster, pine, hemp and jute — all haphazardly draped with live electrical wires.
    — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Isopropyl alcohol is flammable; store the container in a cool place away from any direct heat source.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of flammable
Adjective
  • Many works of Georges Méliès are even believed to have been burned as the original negatives, as the nitrate film stock is incredibly fragile and inflammable.
    — Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of inflammable
Adjective
  • Residents can dispose of corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances.
    — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
  • The facility at 6411 Oak Canyon was slated to close at the end of 2025, but city leaders changed plans recently and area residents can continue to visit the site to dispose of paint cans, batteries and anything that contains corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients.
    — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025
Definition of ignitable
Adjective
  • Jeffries, a cautious Brooklynite poised to become speaker, must juggle fiery progressives, restive moderates and backlash over a Jared Kushner meeting while preaching Pelosi-style discipline and teamwork.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Clippers released a fiery statement slamming the findings, though the team has little recourse to appeal.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiery

Browse Nearby Words

combusted
combustible
combusting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combustible. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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