1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly
all evening long we just sat there, contentedly watching the Yule log burn
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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
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
The disgruntled wide receiver is back to full strength, but he's burned all bridges back to the organization.
—Ernesto Cova, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
One resident was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor burns.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Verb
An office with a wood-burning fireplace and a hidden service kitchen are also located on this level.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
The disgruntled wide receiver is back to full strength, but he's burned all bridges back to the organization.
—Ernesto Cova, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
Their root system can develop rapidly and often regrow after a prescribed burn.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
One resident was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor burns.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
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Jupiter will appear as a steady star-like object glowing brightly 5 degrees to the lower right of the lunar disk — roughly the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length against the sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Folks would dip dresses and suits in glowing, phosphorescent paint and wear them around town performing various pranks or artistic displays.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, it must be shielded from scorching sun.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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The eruption did more than cool the skies and scorch an entire network of valleys.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As of Tuesday morning, the Audace was steaming past the Bahamas while Total’s gas trading desk fields bids from potential buyers in Europe and Asia.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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This all comes as the legal fight over the audit steams ahead, over 15 months after 72% of the state signed off on the ballot measure.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s an incredible sequence where Zazie Beetz’s character fights cultists with a flaming axe.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
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There, Kurds gather to light flaming torches at sunset, carrying them up the mountainside to symbolize light defeating darkness.—
March 25,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The specifications on the Neo can be deceiving.—
Dwight Silverman,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
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Klipsch Austin Portable Bluetooth Speaker Deal Don't be deceived by the small Klipsch Austin portable speaker.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That translates to many years to replace the 850 consumed by the Iran War.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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Amid public concern, federal health authorities have denied any reports of illnesses linked to consuming fish or seafood because of possible contamination.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Police in Livonia, Michigan, are investigating after an individual was found dead in a creek on Saturday evening.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Almost a month later, she was found bludgeoned to death in a creek in eastern Williamson County.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once Orion blazes through Earth's atmosphere, a protective heat shield will be cast off to make way for parachutes to deploy and slow the vehicle down.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Sink and Jupe’s chemistry is palpable, and their first kiss is slow and sweet, with Sink’s face blushing a blazing red.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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