inferno
noun
in·fer·no
in-ˈfər-(ˌ)nō 
plural infernos
: a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell
the inferno of war
Examples of inferno in a Sentence
By the time help arrived, the fire had grown to a raging inferno.
the intense heat of the raging inferno repeatedly drove back the firefighters
Recent Examples on the Web
The inferno that raged across the Palisades on Jan. 7 took thousands of homes and several lives.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Despite tens of billions of dollars spent so far in California alone to reduce the risk of electric ignition, last month's infernos suggest that much more needs to be done to make sure the electric grid does not contribute to more tragedy.
—Jeff Young, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Firefighters received some rain to help them battle the infernos but officials have warned of the risk of toxic ash runoff.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
Following the clues No homes were damaged or destroyed in the Jan. 1 fire, but investigators with the ATF are exploring possible connections to the Jan. 7 inferno.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
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Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Despite tens of billions of dollars spent so far in California alone to reduce the risk of electric ignition, last month's infernos suggest that much more needs to be done to make sure the electric grid does not contribute to more tragedy.
—Jeff Young, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Firefighters received some rain to help them battle the infernos but officials have warned of the risk of toxic ash runoff.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
Following the clues No homes were damaged or destroyed in the Jan. 1 fire, but investigators with the ATF are exploring possible connections to the Jan. 7 inferno.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inferno
Articles Related to inferno
Cite this Entry
“Inferno.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inferno. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inferno
noun
in·fer·no
in-ˈfər-nō
plural infernos
: a place or state that resembles or suggests hell especially in great heat or raging fire
Etymology
from Italian inferno "underworld, hell," from Latin infernus (same meaning), from earlier infernus (adjective) "lying beneath, in the lower regions"
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