1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly
all evening long we just sat there, contentedly watching the Yule log burn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to scorch
to set (something) on fire
it is not a good idea to try to burn old papers in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
he came home burning with anger because of a reprimand at work
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to flame
to shine with a bright harsh light
the bright streetlight outside our motel room burned all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue
he's been burned before, so he's careful to double-check such claims now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to consume
to make complete use of
heedlessly burning the country's resources without any concern for future generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in creek
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
the walkers forded the shallow burn and then came upon a field of gorse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of burn
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Brian didn’t want to burn him out.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
If swallowed, button cell or coin batteries can cause severe internal chemical burns, serious injuries and death, the agency said.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Verb
Thousands of structures burned, and thousands of people were displaced, prosecutors said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Brian didn’t want to burn him out.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Noun
The district said a student poured hot water on a student, resulting in the burns.
—Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
If swallowed, button cell or coin batteries can cause severe internal chemical burns, serious injuries and death, the agency said.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
-
However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
There’s an amulet (one of those glowing doohickeys the fate of the cosmos hangs on), and your heart may sink every time someone starts chattering about it.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
All that matters at this reservation-only pizzeria is the crust, a technical marvel of puff, bulge and scorch.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Officials said the fire has scorched at least 5,000 acres as of Monday morning.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Regardless, steaming your clothes shouldn’t leave them damp.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
-
Ideal for reheating leftovers and frozen food, steaming food in the microwave, and at-a-glance food storage for easy grab and go.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
This campy, reality-shifting comedy series questions what would happen if a flaming misogynist woke up in a world that was completely matriarchal and subjugated men based on their gender.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The juvenile managed to drive the flaming car back onto the freeway, driving again the wrong direction before the car gave out near the Auburn Boulevard on-ramp.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The complaint also claims that the image deceives customers into thinking Lipa has endorsed the product and dilutes her brand identity.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
Berger also warned against attempts by Israelis to deceive foreign agents, stressing that any contact is a serious offense.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
But for humans to consume cow’s milk, those calves are taken away.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
King warned that the war would devour Johnson’s ambition for a Great Society, consuming the resources meant to relieve poverty here at home.—
Mark Conway,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Someone from the nonprofit visits the creek almost every day.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Zipping through old-growth spruce forests and even across frozen creeks on snowmobiles.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Body camera footage captured the moment when Faulkner dove into the blazing vehicle to get Collins.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Witt blazed a trail on the basepaths.—
Jaylon Thompson
May 9,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
