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Combustible vs Incendiary - What's the difference?

combustible | incendiary | Synonyms |

In figurative terms the difference between combustible and incendiary

is that combustible is easily kindled or excited; quick; fiery; irascible while incendiary is one who excites or inflames factions into quarrels; an agitator.

As adjectives the difference between combustible and incendiary

is that combustible is capable of burning while incendiary is capable of, or used for, or actually causing fire.

As nouns the difference between combustible and incendiary

is that combustible is a material that is capable of burning while incendiary is something capable of causing fire, particularly a weapon.

combustible

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Capable of burning
  • Dumping fertilizer on top of whatever mysterious goop was in the storage tank created a combustible mix which caught on fire.
  • * South
  • Sin is to the soul like fire to combustible matter.
  • (figurative) Easily kindled or excited; quick; fiery; irascible.
  • * Washington Irving
  • Arnold was a combustible character.

    Antonyms

    * incombustible

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A material that is capable of burning.
  • incendiary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Capable of, or used for, or actually causing fire.
  • * {{quote-book, year=2006, author=
  • , title=Internal Combustion , chapter=1 citation , passage=Blast after blast, fiery outbreak after fiery outbreak, like a flaming barrage from within,
  • Intentionally stirring up strife, riot, rebellion.
  • Inflammatory, emotionally charged.
  • Politics is an incendiary topic; it tends to cause fights to break out.

    Noun

    (incendiaries)
  • Something capable of causing fire, particularly a weapon.
  • The military used incendiaries to destroy the building. Fortunately, the fire didn't spread.
  • One who maliciously sets fires; an arsonist.
  • (figurative) One who excites or inflames factions into quarrels; an agitator.
  • * Bentley
  • Several cities drove them out as incendiaries .