as in to burn
to be on fire especially brightly
anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combust
During winter, wet road salt can seep into manholes, corroding electrical cables’ insulation, causing sparks and gas that can then combust under pressure.
—
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Make sure there are no overhanging limbs that could combust, cut back and remove nearby grasses, brambles, and underbrush, and have a fire extinguisher ready to deal with any embers that float away.
—Steven John, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
When a mosquito comes and bites him, the bug immediately tastes the spice in his blood and flies away only to combust moments later.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2026
Similar to the show, the comic features a pair of detectives trying to connect the dots behind a strain of explosive deaths, and everyone who’s spontaneously combusted has The Beauty.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combust
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Make sure there are no overhanging limbs that could combust, cut back and remove nearby grasses, brambles, and underbrush, and have a fire extinguisher ready to deal with any embers that float away.
—Steven John, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
When a mosquito comes and bites him, the bug immediately tastes the spice in his blood and flies away only to combust moments later.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2026
Similar to the show, the comic features a pair of detectives trying to connect the dots behind a strain of explosive deaths, and everyone who’s spontaneously combusted has The Beauty.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combust
Verb
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Aerial footage showed large flames burning near a cul-de-sac of homes as helicopters made water drops and hand crews on the ground worked to create a containment line.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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And just as the image of black people beaten for trying to cross a bridge resonated beyond our community, the image of a Palestinian hooked up to an IV, writhing in agony and burning alive, resonates far beyond theirs.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Verb
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In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante embarks on a nationwide quest to find the nation’s most bizarre and dangerous alien sharks – from glowing swell sharks to elusive sawfish – proving the ultimate shark adventure is right here at home.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
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The speakeasy-style room glows with a gold-leaf ceiling, ochre velvet sofas, and an extravagant cocktail menu.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The conflict that ensues is startling in the intensity of its violence, as bodies brawl and break in the mud, flaming torches are taken to the face, and red-hot blades are seared into flesh.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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The Chicago Fire Department confirmed the flaming object was a cross and said officials put out the fire.—
Hallie Golden,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combust. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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