1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly
all evening long we just sat there, contentedly watching the Yule log burn
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2
as in to scorch
to set (something) on fire
it is not a good idea to try to burn old papers in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
he came home burning with anger because of a reprimand at work
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4
as in to flame
to shine with a bright harsh light
the bright streetlight outside our motel room burned all night long
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5
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue
he's been burned before, so he's careful to double-check such claims now
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to consume
to make complete use of
heedlessly burning the country's resources without any concern for future generations
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in creek
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
the walkers forded the shallow burn and then came upon a field of gorse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burn
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Raymond, Exxon’s CEO from 1993 through 2005, including after its 1999 merger with Mobil, made these claims despite mounting global evidence that burning fossil fuels was driving climate change.
—
Joe Árvai,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
Alex Burton,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
The department said the two firefighters who survived were being treated for burn injuries.
—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Verb
Mills founded Watch Duty in 2021 after not receiving official alerts or evacuation instructions when a fire burned near his Northern California home.
—
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Raymond, Exxon’s CEO from 1993 through 2005, including after its 1999 merger with Mobil, made these claims despite mounting global evidence that burning fossil fuels was driving climate change.
—
Joe Árvai,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
Noun
Coal ash is what is left after a power plant burns coal.
—
Alex Burton,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
The department said the two firefighters who survived were being treated for burn injuries.
—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
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Akin to a snake shedding its skin, the TikToker would peel the finished mask from their face to reveal a bouncy, glowing complexion.
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As far as Lendeborg’s on-the-court fit with the Warriors, Butler gave a glowing assessment.
Verb
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An uncontained blaze in Utah’s Juab County has scorched 34 square miles, forcing the evacuation of Eureka and nearby ranches as firefighters race to shield homes amid fierce winds.
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The heat wave is expected to scorch Spain at least through Wednesday.
Verb
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When in doubt, stick to food that is cooked and served steaming hot.
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Enjoy a steaming plate of weekend-only biscuits and gravy.
Verb
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True insanity seldom results from a huge, flaming blowout when driving.
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Footage on social media captured victims falling through flaming windows as first responders attempted to reach them.
Verb
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Appearance, though, can be deceiving, but luckily, this shed is still packed with smart features and a clever design that will keep all your belongings safe.
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Here, however, the joke is that appearances can be deceiving — or to be more specific, that trying to act like a character in a movie is a reckless, unwise thing to do.
Verb
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Certain people should be especially mindful about consuming chocolate chips.
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Some blooms can be consumed or mixed into elixirs, bringing aesthetic charm, subtle flavor, and wellness benefits to your dishes and routine.
Noun
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In Hardin County, a juvenile died after a car overturned in a flooded creek, WAVE 3 News reported.
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An afternoon dip in a cool mountain creek turned deadly Saturday for a Charlotte boy, according to investigators in western North Carolina.
Verb
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On a rainy night in early June 2011, Albert Saijo lay on a mattress, a fire blazing in the hearth, his wife by his side.
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Forecasters warn of triple-digit heat indices and blazing hot temperatures that could break records and linger through Independence Day.
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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