conflagration
noun
con·fla·gra·tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən 
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
- fire
- holocaust
- inferno
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The treaty is the latest attempt to resolve the ten-year conflagration. the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration
Recent Examples on the Web Nuvamsa said the damage from the 2002 conflagration could have been much worse. 
AZCentral.com, 26 June 2022 That was the extent of any direct mention of the coronavirus, which has transformed from an out-of-control conflagration into a deadly fire that is slowly being tamped down. Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2021 That approach failed to prevent yet another conflagration over an enclave that has experienced at least six major bursts of violence since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007. New York Times, 7 Aug. 2022 Winds have been easing, allowing firefighters to make progress containing the conflagration, but authorities remain concerned about southwest winds sparking spot fires. Sam Metz, chicagotribune.com, 7 Sep. 2021 Winds have been easing, allowing firefighters to make progress containing the conflagration, but authorities remain concerned about southwest winds sparking spot fires. Sam Metz, ajc, 7 Sep. 2021 The conflagration was brought under control Wednesday with help from Mexico and Venezuela. Santiago Pérez, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 But the skies were expected to clear, and temperatures are expected to rise, creating dangerous conditions that could cause the conflagration to grow in the coming days. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 As the conflagration whips through public and private lands — as of June 6, burning nearly 500 square miles — anger, frustration and grief define the tenor at public forums, in evacuation centers and on social media. Alicia Inez Guzmán For Searchlight Nm, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2022 See More
AZCentral.com, 26 June 2022 That was the extent of any direct mention of the coronavirus, which has transformed from an out-of-control conflagration into a deadly fire that is slowly being tamped down. Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2021 That approach failed to prevent yet another conflagration over an enclave that has experienced at least six major bursts of violence since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007. New York Times, 7 Aug. 2022 Winds have been easing, allowing firefighters to make progress containing the conflagration, but authorities remain concerned about southwest winds sparking spot fires. Sam Metz, chicagotribune.com, 7 Sep. 2021 Winds have been easing, allowing firefighters to make progress containing the conflagration, but authorities remain concerned about southwest winds sparking spot fires. Sam Metz, ajc, 7 Sep. 2021 The conflagration was brought under control Wednesday with help from Mexico and Venezuela. Santiago Pérez, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 But the skies were expected to clear, and temperatures are expected to rise, creating dangerous conditions that could cause the conflagration to grow in the coming days. Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 As the conflagration whips through public and private lands — as of June 6, burning nearly 500 square miles — anger, frustration and grief define the tenor at public forums, in evacuation centers and on social media. Alicia Inez Guzmán For Searchlight Nm, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin conflagration-, conflagratio, from conflagrare — see conflagrant
First Known Use
1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
conflagration
noun
con·fla·gra·tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən
: a large destructive fire
conflagrations
noun
1
as in infernos
a destructive burning the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- infernos
- fires
- wildfires
- holocausts
- bonfires
- blazes
- arsons
- campfires
- forest fires
- backfires
- brush fires
- flare-ups
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- hostilities
- wars
- conflicts
- skirmishes
- hot wars
- battles
- actions
- warfares
- civil wars
- world wars
- holy wars
- limited wars
- police actions
- engagements
- cold wars
- combats
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaces
- truces
- disarmaments
- demobilizations
- demilitarizations
- pacifications
- tranquillities
- tranquilities
- calms
- cease-fires