2
a
: affecting with or as if with heat
a burning fever
b
: resembling that produced by a burn
a burning sensation on the tongue
3
: of fundamental importance : urgent
one of the burning issues of our time
Synonyms of burning
Examples of burning in a Sentence
She stared at the burning embers for a long time.
a burning hatred of corruption
The medicine produced a burning sensation on my tongue.
Symptoms include itchy, burning eyes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.
—
Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
An important insider just shed light on one of the most burning questions in reality TV.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
The most burning question going into the game was whether Hoyos, the team’s sporting director before taking the coaching reins, would tinker with the starting lineup.
—Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Dramatic footage shows a large crowd gathered outside the building in the city of Morón as a fire burns in the street and protesters throw burning objects at the building.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burning
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.
Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
An important insider just shed light on one of the most burning questions in reality TV.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
The most burning question going into the game was whether Hoyos, the team’s sporting director before taking the coaching reins, would tinker with the starting lineup.
—Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Dramatic footage shows a large crowd gathered outside the building in the city of Morón as a fire burns in the street and protesters throw burning objects at the building.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burning
Cite this Entry
“Burning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burning. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
burning
1 of 2 adjective
burn·ing
ˈbər-niŋ 
1
: affecting with or as if with heat
a burning fever
2
: resembling that produced by a burn
a burning sensation on the tongue
burning
2 of 2 noun
: a sensation of being on fire or excessively heated
gastric burning
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
