COMBUSTING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

combusting 1 of 2

adjective

as in burning

being on fire combusting oxygen tanks turned the fire on the evacuees' bus into a raging inferno

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

combusting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of combust

as in glowing

to be on fire especially brightly anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of combusting

Verb

The element of surprise has mostly worn off, even if Grace tells Faith that one never really gets used to people spontaneously combusting right in front of you. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026 Crews detected no visible signs of the fire, such as flames, smoke or perceptibly combusting material. — Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024 After dozens of fires caused by combusting batteries used in electric scooters and bikes in recent years, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is set to consider imposing new restrictions on the rechargeable devices on Tuesday. — Nora Mishanec, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Dec. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combusting

Adjective

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Definition of burning

Verb

One Friday post, for example, shows footage from Super Heavy of Ship cruising away shortly after stage separation, its six Raptors glowing with exertion against the backdrop of a gorgeously blue Earth.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 July 2026
Perhaps that’s the biggest compliment for UCLA, going from being ignored or laughed at to taking a few jabs over your glowing reviews.

— Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of glowing

Adjective

The business has since expanded to three locations, where staff members serve Portuguese classics like cod fish croquettes, chourico assado—a flaming sausage dish—and octopus in garlic sauce for game days.

— Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Alpha Camp − Nikki Hru, Maddy Jones, Leiya Pillitteri − had seemed giddy with confidence before the flaming arrow competition.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Definition of flaming

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combustible

combusting

combustive

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“Combusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combusting. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of combusting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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