Synonyms of combust

combust

verb

kəm-ˈbəst 

as in to burn

to be on fire especially brightly

anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burn
• glow
• flame
• blaze
• fire
• ignite
• smolder
• flicker
• shine
• gleam
• melt
• go up in flames
• kindle
• scorch
• cook
• deflagrate
• enkindle
• bake
• light (up)
• sputter
• flare (up)
• roast
• char
• waver
• spark
• radiate
• broil
• beam
• catch
• beat (down)
• brighten
• flash
• glisten
• swelter
• sparkle
• shimmer
• glitter
• glare
• gutter
• twinkle
• scintillate
• glint
• glimmer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of combust

The big-picture difference on Monday was that San Antonio’s offense finally showed up, and, in particular, that the Spurs didn’t combust with atrocious decisions in transition. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 June 2026

Watch party or not, the whole city might combust if the Knicks win an NBA Championship. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026

But the Cuyahoga River combusting due to pollutants from corporate dumping was one of the keystone events in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. — Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

At this spot, several hundred feet above the 101 Freeway between La Conchita and Rincon Point, the area has also spontaneously combusted during ground shifts, according to previous reporting from The Times. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026