1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly
all evening long we just sat there, contentedly watching the Yule log burn
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2
as in to scorch
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 to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
he came home burning with anger because of a reprimand at work
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4
as in to flame
to shine with a bright harsh light
the bright streetlight outside our motel room burned all night long
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5
as in to deceive
to cause to believe what is untrue
he's been burned before, so he's careful to double-check such claims now
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to consume
to make complete use of
heedlessly burning the country's resources without any concern for future generations
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in brook
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
the walkers forded the shallow burn and then came upon a field of gorse
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burn
Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
William Lucas, 8, survived after Tonya Lucas’ boyfriend at the time rescued him from the burning home.
—Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023
Nik Popli, Time, 2 June 2025
Eight people were hospitalized with burns, Boulder Police said in an update Sunday night.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for burn
Verb
Such interactions can light a fuse that may burn throughout a school year, only to erupt when students arrive for a new semester driving their parents’ car.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
William Lucas, 8, survived after Tonya Lucas’ boyfriend at the time rescued him from the burning home.
—Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023
Noun
At least eight people, ranging from ages 52 to 88, were hospitalized with burns and other injuries, authorities said.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 June 2025
Eight people were hospitalized with burns, Boulder Police said in an update Sunday night.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
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Some shoppers are leaving glowing reviews to go with their five-star ratings.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
14 June 2025
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Another bit of seasonal magic: On Vieques, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay glows brightest from June to August, and the calm waters are ideal for kayaking.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
AFAR Media,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
31 May 2025
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Despite an evaporated offence, Toronto remained in every game late, except a scorching Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Some research suggests that steaming kale maximizes glucosinolates.7 Consume kale with some heart-healthy fat like extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil to assist in fat-soluble vitamin absorption.—
Barbie Cervoni,
Verywell Health,
11 June 2025
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Branzino at Felice is steamed in an aluminum foil pouch to retain all the juices, lemon and olive oil.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The president and the governor are having a momentous fight about constitutional rights in the courts, and flaming each other with insults and photoshopped memes on Truth Social and X. The ICE raids have thrown some Angelenos into a state of fear and virtual hiding.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
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The flaming vehicles posed threats protestors may not have been fully aware of because of their unique design.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Even children who are online only in small doses likely see false or inaccurate information that might deceive them.—
Evan Orticio,
Scientific American,
2 June 2025
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In November, Dove pleaded guilty in Gaston County to a dozen felony charges related to illegally accessing police computer systems and helping someone deceive a polygraph test, The Gaston Gazette reported.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Endless arguments could consume tons of precious computing cycles.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Recipes for everything from ceviche mixto with popcorn (!) to flan to sweet plantains are sure to delight, and the book’s chatty, convivial tone is likely to linger in your mind long after the meal has been consumed and the dreaded dinner dishes are done.—
Hayley Maitland,
Vogue,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Adept anglers can fly-fish for them across the varied terrain of the property’s creeks or patrol the marshy perimeters its six Class A lakes for the coveted catch, as well as fellow trout—namely rainbow, brown, and brook–that often exceed 20 inches.—
Alexandra Kirkman,
Robb Report,
29 May 2025
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The quick video opened with footage of a rushing river and rolled to show a closeup of flowering branches, blue bells and an aerial view of a brook.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Leaders take responsibility, learn from setbacks and use creativity to blaze new trails.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Summer hosting season means a lot more time spent occupying your outdoor space, and the best patio umbrellas meet the occasion by gently offering respite against the blazing sun.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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