combust

verb

com·​bust kəm-ˈbəst 

combusted; combusting; combusts

: burn

Synonyms of combust

• burn
• glow
• flame

Examples of combust in a Sentence

anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal

Recent Examples on the Web

Many times, bodies spontaneously combust and spray blood everywhere. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

The element of surprise has mostly worn off, even if Grace tells Faith that one never really gets used to people spontaneously combusting right in front of you. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026

That is the sign of a team that is ready to combust, which has fragile confidence. —Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

derivative of earlier combust, combusted "burned, consumed," going back to Middle English combust, borrowed from Latin combustus, past participle of combūrere "to destroy with fire, reduce to ashes, calcine," from com- com- + ūrere "to expose to fire, burn, scorch" (with -b- from ambūrere "to burn around, scorch," falsely parsed as am- + būrere) — more at adust

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for combust

• adjust
• discussed
• disgust
• distrust
• entrust
• intrust
• mistrust
• nonplussed
• robust
• sawdust
• stardust
• unjust

Kids Definition

combust

verb

com·​bust kəm-ˈbəst 

: to be or set on fire : burn