Thesaurus results for COMBUST

combust

verb

kəm-ˈbəst

Definition of combust

as in to burn

to be on fire especially brightly anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 combust The big-picture difference on Monday was that San Antonio’s offense finally showed up, and, in particular, that the Spurs didn’t combust with atrocious decisions in transition. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 June 2026 Watch party or not, the whole city might combust if the Knicks win an NBA Championship. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 But the Cuyahoga River combusting due to pollutants from corporate dumping was one of the keystone events in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. — Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026 At this spot, several hundred feet above the 101 Freeway between La Conchita and Rincon Point, the area has also spontaneously combusted during ground shifts, according to previous reporting from The Times. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combust

Verb

Oura might not be under the same pressure to access capital as a cash-burning startup.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
The scene is a sensory one, with layered cowhide rugs, leather armchairs, a wood-burning fire, and twinkling chandeliers that were original to the Pulitzers’ home.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of burn

Verb

Acupressure targets specific points, including spots roughly a finger’s length below your pupils and beside your nose, which NuFace says can promote a glowing complexion by improving circulation.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Frøya takes a botanical route to glow and tone instead, leaning on sea buckthorn and rosehip instead.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of glow

Verb

Ali, trembling from the effects of Parkinson’s disease but with strength still evident, held the flaming torch aloft.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, a user named dedsheeran captioned a video of a flaming car accident with links to several organizations providing aid in Palestine, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, UNRWA, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and Doctors Without Borders.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of flame

Browse Nearby Words

combs (out)

combust

combusted

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“Combust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combust. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of combust

verb

Example Sentences

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