1
as in glows
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 scorches
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 steams
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 flames
to shine with a bright harsh light
the bright streetlight outside our motel room burned all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in deceives
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 consumes
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 brooks
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
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Recent Examples of burns
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Kristen finds her way back to her natural vivacity, but the brightness burns differently.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
That’s why a late scene between Diaz and Paz burns like a fiery acting tête-à-tête.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 13 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
York’s belly still burns from that coach that patted it in San Antonio.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Chicago burns at the time when the machinery to produce brick is perfected.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Bridges burns Sixers on offense, defense If Mikal Bridges is going to play like this, New York might be done with this series by the weekend.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Jogging for 30 minutes burns 250 calories, so weeding is good for you and your garden.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Chiara Eisner, NPR, 17 May 2026
Working with the title designer Teddy Blanks, Harris found a textural font — one that embodied decaying paint and burns — to do the job.
—Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Anaia’s face is a network of scars, the result of devastating childhood burns.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 May 2026
Whitaker died from head injuries and smoke inhalation while her daughter died from severe burns.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
Jim Scott said his wife, Paola, suffered burns over more than half of her body during the incident, according to Local 10.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Deborah Nicholls was not home when the fire started; her husband escaped the blaze with burns and injuries after jumping out a second-story window.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Keep the fertilizer away from the trunk to prevent nutrient burns, which can damage or kill the tree.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Ten of those evacuated had suffered minor burns, while two were able to join the rescue operation and provided information to help locate those missing.
—Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Verb
In the opening minutes of Dutton Ranch, Beth and Rip are blissfully happy on their new Montana ranch — until a wildfire breaks out and burns their entire property to the ground.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Kristen finds her way back to her natural vivacity, but the brightness burns differently.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
That’s why a late scene between Diaz and Paz burns like a fiery acting tête-à-tête.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 13 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
York’s belly still burns from that coach that patted it in San Antonio.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Chicago burns at the time when the machinery to produce brick is perfected.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Bridges burns Sixers on offense, defense If Mikal Bridges is going to play like this, New York might be done with this series by the weekend.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Jogging for 30 minutes burns 250 calories, so weeding is good for you and your garden.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Noun
On April 14, the federal government outlined plans to boost pay by 25% for government firefighters who work on prescribed burns.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 17 May 2026
Working with the title designer Teddy Blanks, Harris found a textural font — one that embodied decaying paint and burns — to do the job.
—Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Anaia’s face is a network of scars, the result of devastating childhood burns.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 May 2026
Whitaker died from head injuries and smoke inhalation while her daughter died from severe burns.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
Jim Scott said his wife, Paola, suffered burns over more than half of her body during the incident, according to Local 10.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Deborah Nicholls was not home when the fire started; her husband escaped the blaze with burns and injuries after jumping out a second-story window.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Keep the fertilizer away from the trunk to prevent nutrient burns, which can damage or kill the tree.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Ten of those evacuated had suffered minor burns, while two were able to join the rescue operation and provided information to help locate those missing.
—Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burns
Verb
-
Below, sits Altair, while Deneb glows to the left, representing the tail of the great swan in the constellation Cygnus.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
It can be used as a nightlight, glows in seven colors and features a selection of soothing soundscapes.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Tucson will also be at or near record temperatures through March 27 as the state’s unprecedented heat wave scorches on, the weather service said.—
Ray Stern,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
As the world around them scorches under record heat, a family walks into the woods, asking what the future holds in this thermal dystopia.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Mile End's Bohème Vintage stocks quality wool and denim, and steams them right behind the counter.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On average, a medium-sized data center consumes roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling, which is enough to power the annual water use of about 1,000 households.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
According to some reports, globally, this consumes something like 1-2% of global energy consumption.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Insects drone over running brooks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The property, which features lush greenery and old-growth trees set among babbling brooks and water features, is open to the public, and the gardens have served as a popular spot for weddings over the decades in addition to an annual Mother’s Day tea that Weston said attracts hundreds each year.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 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
-
The battle rages on between the Big Ten and SEC, as others start increasing the volume of their opinions.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
One is the degree to which criticism of the actions or existence of the State of Israel inevitably slides into antisemitism, a debate that rages on.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burns. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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