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
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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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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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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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as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
seeing people violate smoking bans really burns me up
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as in combustible
capable of catching or being set on fire
don't put something so burnable as a towel next to the stove
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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
Elizabeth A. Logan, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Adjective
Following fire officials’ recommendations can mean clearing defensible space around homes, replacing fire-prone plants and limiting or removing burnable material, such as wood fencing and sheds.
—Elizabeth A. Logan, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
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
Adjective
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Hurley was burned out after his Huskies failed to play to the program’s standard, and after he was pummeled nationally during the 2024-25 season for his combustible sideline disposition, in Maui and beyond.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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The complaint also alleges that the project is violating ordinances setting limits on lighting and noise levels, and an ordinance that prohibits storage of combustible materials, including diesel generators.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Its grounds held extensive gardens, a duck pond and a brook.—
Antonia Noori Farzan,
The Providence Journal,
22 Mar. 2026
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With their tiny fences and cottages, a dozen gnomes stood stiff as if at attention yet looked so happy residing on their brook’s muddy banks.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Police have arrested two more people over an attempt to place a homemade explosive device outside the Paris headquarters of Bank of America, the French domestic security service said Sunday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Best Time to Do These Exercises Plyometric and explosive work should be performed at the beginning of a session, after the warm-up, when the body is fresh.—
Jim Diehl CSCS,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Due to increasing activity from the Anthelion sporadic meteor source (a broad region in the night sky that produces a steady, low-level stream of meteors year round) and maybe improved reporting, this amount reflects both a high total count and frequency.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Mid-May can bring the beginning of a new income stream.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Officers arrested him and accused the suspect of placing a device consisting of two bottles of flammable liquid secured with adhesive tape and 650 grams of explosive powder.—
Chase Jordan
March 30,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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The truck, officials said, was filled with explosives and flammable liquid believed to be gasoline.—
Holmes Lybrand,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Many works of Georges Méliès are even believed to have been burned as the original negatives, as the nitrate film stock is incredibly fragile and inflammable.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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