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
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4
as in to flame
to shine with a bright harsh light
the bright streetlight outside our motel room burned all night long
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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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burn
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Scenes around the dinner table are awkward to say the least, but Meg has a big supporter in bestie Penny (Sophia Torres) and a burning desire to bring this show to life against all odds.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation estimated last year that more than 1,800 small businesses were in the burn zones in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, impacting more than 11,000 jobs.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Verb
Inside the redesign Fabian Wiesemüller, PhD, co-founder and CEO of FireDrone AG, said firefighters must physically enter burning buildings to spot hazardous materials or missing persons.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Scenes around the dinner table are awkward to say the least, but Meg has a big supporter in bestie Penny (Sophia Torres) and a burning desire to bring this show to life against all odds.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
Fire managers carefully monitor prescribed burns and will plan to conduct activities during safest possible burn windows.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation estimated last year that more than 1,800 small businesses were in the burn zones in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena, impacting more than 11,000 jobs.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
-
Coughlan glowed in Penelope's wedding dress and shared a look with her husband-to-be, Colin.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Using these newer observations, the team was finally able connect the glowing ring of material around M87* to the base of the jet erupting from this supermassive black hole, giving a probable origin point for this jet.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During Tuesday's quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Iva Jovic - the last match played under scorching sun - the players held ice packs to their heads and portable fans to their faces during breaks in play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Additionally, when baking at high heat (above 425°F), parchment paper could scorch or become brittle.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Transfer to a large plate, spreading out to keep from steaming.—
Hana Asbrink,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Luz’s agency had scored the gillagers a dump truck, part of a citywide program encouraging poor Manileños to trade garbage for rice and instant noodles, but most scavenging was carried out by teams of boys and young men who scampered over steaming filth.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Allison’s husband, Rich Statter, quickly stepped in and grabbed his wife's flaming hair, putting out the fire with his hands.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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The luxury Swiss Alps nightclub where at least 40 people were killed and nearly 120 others were injured in a New Year’s Eve inferno, had previously released a promotional video advertising flaming champagne bottles, which authorities deemed the cause of the tragedy.—
Emma Bussey , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although appearances can be deceiving.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Ah, but appearances can be deceiving.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Seymour said the fundraiser’s original goal has already been consumed by travel costs alone and warned that future expenses — including therapy — remain unknown.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Finally, the dietary guidelines fail to state that people under age 21 should not consume alcohol at all.—
Paul Gilbert,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dee Anderson, a spokesperson for the Tarrant County police, said at the time that maintenance workers had been near the creek hours earlier, but Amber’s body was not found.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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In the ‘Groundhog Day’-esque nightmare that never ends, the ‘urgent’ and ‘engaged’ Boston Red Sox are up a creek without a paddle, vessel, and excuse, having lost out on a top – and very sign-able – free-agent target once again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The latest uptick continued a blazing-hot stretch for gold.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
26 Jan. 2026
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These stray images were then blasted away by a blazing sun that completely filled the space of awareness before transforming itself into a gigantic eyeball—a sighted sun with a black circle of iris.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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