incinerate

verb

Definition of incineratenext
as in to ignite
to burn (something) completely The waste is incinerated in a large furnace.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 incinerate But the acres burned by high-severity fires — when flames explode out of control with extreme temperatures, incinerating trees rather than simply clearing out dead vegetation — have increased thirtyfold. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 For Thursday and Friday, the ridge of high pressure dominating the weather pattern and incinerating the East Coast with triple-digit feels-like temperatures shifts just enough to allow for some Gulf moisture to build in. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The bathroom is nearby and contains a vanity sink, a walk-in shower, and an incinerating toilet – which literally turns waste into ash. — Adam Williams july 01, New Atlas, 1 July 2026 The deaths come after wildfires have incinerated parts of the Southwest, with fires entering Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, according to the paper. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incinerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incinerate
  1. ignite
  2. burn
  3. fire
  4. ash
  5. cremate
  6. cook
Verb
  • This ignited a lifelong passion for breathing new life into unloved spaces and transforming them into show-stopping holiday destinations.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • But the Ship upper stage hit all of its marks, successfully deploying 20 next-gen Starlink satellites, re-igniting one of its Raptor engines in space as planned and splashing down softly off the coast of Western Australia.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • The video shows buildings burning near the Behbahan Northwest Airport in the central Khuzestan province.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Indigenous filmmakers and screen storytellers often feel pressure to burn sage and show feathers, Riedel says.
    — Jennie Punter, Variety, 21 July 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • Former University of Kansas golfer Matt Gogel fired a 7-under-par, bogey-free 63 on Sunday to jump 12 spots and tie for second place at the ISPS Handa Senior British Open at Gleneagles Kings Course in Scotland.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • In a separate incident last week, an officer fired one shot at a woman who was accused of shooting a handgun at trees in a far south Fort Worth neighborhood on Belshire Court.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Definition of fire
Verb
  • Through it all, their bullpen was consistent … in the way that an uncontained wildfire consistently turns acreage to ash.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • Now, the cabin where those memories were made has been reduced to ash.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Definition of ash
Verb
  • Taxidermy your dog or cremate or bury or whatever feels right in your heart.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
  • To burn Ormund out, Rhaenyra would have to cremate her own subjects.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of cremate
Verb
  • If grilling, cook the eggplants over direct medium heat until soft and charred on both sides, turning once or twice, 6 to 8 minutes.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • Adulteration of premium cooking oils to maximize profits has been going on for decades, says Eric Decker, a food science professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst whose research focuses on fats and oils.
    — Maria Godoy, NPR, 21 July 2026
Definition of cook

Browse Nearby Words

incidents
incinerate
incinerated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incinerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incinerate. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on incinerate

Nglish: Translation of incinerate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All