as in burning
being on fire
combusting oxygen tanks turned the fire on the evacuees' bus into a raging inferno
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in glowing
to be on fire especially brightly
anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal
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Recent Examples of combusting
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
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
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Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
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Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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For glowing skin, get the plumping thirst relief facial, which involves a nori algae mask and organic marine products only found at Shangri-La Boracay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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From its glowing critical reception to its significant awards recognition, the series resonated with UK audiences in a way that felt truly profound.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Soon enough, they’re joined by Thomas and oldest brother Franck, the brains of the operation, played by Magimel in a tan suit and semi-transparent shades— less flaming psychopath, more two-bit gangster given his Three Stooges-esque, family-run operation.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
22 May 2026
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One young man, his shirt off and loosely draped around his neck along with a Santa Muerte necklace, sports tattoos of a Kalashnikov rifle and a flaming skull, regarding the camera with bedroom eyes.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In what could end up being the most disastrous setback in the history of Blue Origin, its massive launch vehicle blew up May 28 in a fiery blast that briefly colored the Florida sky orange and sent blazing fireballs cascading into the night.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Brown played receiver at West Virginia, spent two seasons in the NFL as a return man, and was best known for his blazing speed and for once beating Devin Hester, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and the NFL’s return touchdown record holder, in a race.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combusting. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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