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 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 Rising temperatures and prolonged drought leave vegetation drier and more combustible, allowing fires to spread faster and burn more intensely. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Dead forests can increase wildfire hazards by adding more combustible material. — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Was the stock of this cleaner energy company (non-combustible engine) broken because of a hedge fund blowup? — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 29 July 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
  • The footage mixes high-speed chases and explosive action with comedic beats, framing a story built around chaos, mismatched heroism and rising stakes as the mission unfolds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The rift widened in the wake of the couple’s explosive sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix docuseries and Harry’s tell-all memoir.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 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
  • Homeowners would also be required to manage flammable vegetation to create defensible space, like making sure tree branches are 10 feet from a house or structure.
    — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Any individual who uses such equipment near wildlands must clear flammable vegetation around a specific work area and maintain firefighting tools.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 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
  • As important and inspiring as any is the one camouflaged by Fred Warner’s business-as-usual, ultra-fiery demeanor.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Miami settled for a 2-2 tie in a physical, fiery game that ended with Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia phenom, 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, ejected with red cards in the 12th minute of stoppage time, just before the final whistle.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fiery

Browse Nearby Words

combusted
combustible
combusting
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Cite this Entry

“Combustible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combustible. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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