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
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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
Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
The Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm plumps without the burn (no spicy sting here!)—just a subtle cooling, refreshing effect from a touch of menthol.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 July 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
More than 20 people have died from burns after entering or falling into Yellowstone’s hot springs, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
The Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm plumps without the burn (no spicy sting here!)—just a subtle cooling, refreshing effect from a touch of menthol.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
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Head away from city lights around this time to hunt the glowing band of the Milky Way's core, which can be spotted during the summer months streaming towards the eastern horizon as dusk gives way to night in dark sky locations.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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The spectacle produces about three meteors per hour; look for its shooting stars near the Eridanus constellation, which hangs low in the southeast sky August’s full sturgeon moon will glow in the southeast skies on Aug. 9, with Saturn nearby to the east.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Potassium deficiency causes yellowing and scorching along leaf edges, weak stems, and interveinal chlorosis, a yellowing between the leaf veins.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
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Take it from someone who easily melts in the scorching heat and humidity — linen clothing is your best option for staying cool all summer.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Verb
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The main difference in cooking methods is that traditional poaching boils the egg while an egg poacher steams it.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
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But yes, there are options to steaming and standing in line for a ride.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Verb
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With choreographed dances, celebratory antics, flaming bats (yes, literal flaming bats), and a firm commitment to entertaining the crowd first and worrying about the score later, the Bananas have become a cultural phenomenon.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The artist was flamed for his headlining performance at the Electric Castle festival in Romania.—
Daysia Tolentino,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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More than 20 children are in the custody of a Southern California child-welfare agency as authorities investigate allegations of child abuse and whether surrogate mothers were deceived by a Los Angeles-area couple.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
17 July 2025
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And then he was wishy-washy, went back and forth, and she was deceived and disappointed by him.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Good Culture took advantage of its own viral moment with an ad campaign embracing the various ways of preparing and consuming its product.—
Danielle Wiener-Bronner,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
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And each switch requires the brain to reorient itself, which consumes mental energy and slows overall performance, Dr. Schiff explains.—
Noma Nazish,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Smaller brooks, ordinarily not containing flowing water, became raging torrents which could be crossed only by swimming.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
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Our guides had part paddled and part lugged Wells and me perhaps a quarter of a mile up a tiny brook that was hardly a canoe-length wide.—
Robeson Bailey,
Outdoor Life,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Moore’s mother worked several jobs, family members chipped in, and an entire community rallied to blaze an impossible path for the governor, culminating in his swearing-in as Maryland’s 63rd governor, with the prestigious distinction of being Maryland’s first Black governor.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
28 July 2025
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The Patriots throttled down with a pre-planned walkthrough Friday, where players took the field for 75 minutes under a blazing sun and jogged through a variety of drills over their third training camp practice.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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