ashes 1 of 2

Definition of ashesnext
as in rubble
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed a new and more splendid city was built on the ashes of the old

Synonyms & Similar Words

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ashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of ash
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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ashes
Verb
  • In 2025, French firm Veolia flexed its global leadership in PFAS treatment by opening a massive plant in Delaware that filters PFAS from water and incinerates it to break the bond between fluorine and carbon, one of the strongest in chemistry.
    Don Steinberg, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In Death by Lightning, his performance as Charles Guiteau incinerates any attempt to categorize the presidential assassin.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • As their relationship re-ignites, Alex’s growing bond with Maxy forces a deadly choice between maternal instinct and romantic obsession.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 May 2026
  • The maternal energy of the flower ignites Cancer's emotions.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Continue reading … BENCH WARRED — Blanche torches Trump foe Boasberg after appeals court blocks judge again in deportation fight.
    , FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Hopper cut off a Demogorgon’s head, and Murray torches quite a few.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Parallel Tales has Farhadi’s characteristic polish and DP Guillaume Deffontaines, who has worked frequently with Bruno Dumont, lights the interiors beautifully, lending subtle golden tones to the fiction scenes.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
  • In fossil fuel extraction zones — the Permian Basin in Texas, the Bakken fields of North Dakota, oil regions across the Middle East — lights flicker violently in sync with drilling booms and busts, bearing little relation to broader economic trends.
    Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • While Martin Scorsese called it one of the scariest movies of all time, The Uninvited kindles a wonderful romance between Rick and Stella.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The star of Big Little Lies confessed her new film, Caught Stealing, kindles a powerful yearning for some aspects of the era.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The sun burns outside the window.
    Erin Entrada Kelly, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
  • Now, Kiffin just took the can of gasoline and threw it right into the fire that still burns stemming from his departure for Baton Rouge.
    Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Only the United States, a few NATO allies, Russia and Iran are believed to have this kind of high-speed torpedo, which fires air ahead of the weapon to reduce the drag of the water.
    Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
  • Hollis fires and Schultz fires his weapon a dozen times.
    Jason Rantala, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Asthma is a chronic condition that inflames the airways and can make breathing difficult.
    Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The episode inflames the diplomatic spat between the two countries that began over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
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.

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“Ashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ashes. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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