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
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
Put the two together, and, well, the whole great experiment that is the internet might just combust.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combust
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
Put the two together, and, well, the whole great experiment that is the internet might just combust.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combust
Verb
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She’s grown wise during her absence, sharing in this smoldering, ‘90s-redolent track that some bridges are worth burning, despite the adage.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
16 Mar. 2026
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The home was converted into apartments in 1951 but retained some of the original grandeur that probably wooed the Morgan clan, too (high ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace, in particular).—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And so begins our journey, out from the Green Monster and onto the glowing screen.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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In a period defined by constant notifications and glowing screens, the bedroom is increasingly being redesigned as a space for intentional disconnection.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And while most of the spacecraft will likely disintegrate in a flaming blaze during reentry, a few components could survive, according to NASA.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
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Find a bit of room for the profiteroles or Grand Marnier flaming crème brûlée.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combust. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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