flammable — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Capable of burning.

   Synonyms

   inflammable[contranym]]ic senses>combustibleignitable

   Antonyms

   inflammable[contranym]]ic senses>non-flammablenonflammablenoninflammableunflammableuninflammablefireproofincombustible

   Examples

   Near-synonym: ignitable

   flammable liquid

2. Easily set on fire.

   Synonyms

   inflammable[contranym]]ic senses>ignitable

   Antonyms

   inflammable[contranym]]ic senses>non-flammablenonflammablenoninflammableunflammableuninflammablefireproofincombustible

   Broader terms

   combustibledangeroushazardous

   Examples

   Near-synonym: ignitable

3. Easily set on fire. Subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion.

4. Very likely to cause fighting or controversy; extremely contentious.

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   In considering the possible commitment of U.S. forces to South Vietnam , the Joint Chiefs of Staff have reviewed the overall critical situation in Southeast Asia with particular emphasis upon the present highly flammable situation in South Vietnam.

   They could stuff their ears with cotton, but they could not, after all, fight such flammable ideas ( at least not in the public squares where Attucks's war whoops could still be heard ).

   With her play Diamond Lil, she discovered a way to sneak her flammable subject matter past the censors.

   More examples (1)

   King's words touch on a higher law of leadership, that the solution to a sensitive and highly contentious and even flammable situation often lies in doing the opposite of what is expected and even perceived as normal or 'natural'.

   Evelyn realized that Adam's flammable words and angry eyes were only the form of his untold pain, holding the strongest words of his heart, unspoken.

Noun

1. Any flammable substance.

Adjective

1. easily ignited

   Synonyms

   inflammable