combust

verb

com·​bust kəm-ˈbəst 

combusted; combusting; combusts

: burn

Synonyms

• blaze
• burn
• flame
• glow

Examples of combust in a Sentence

anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal

Recent Examples on the Web

This phenomenon is likely contributing to desert fires around Phoenix this season, amid fuels ready to combust. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 7 June 2024

Their argument seems to hold that Vermont residents who actually combusted the fuels should have to pay for the damages. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 9 May 2024

Flaring is the process of burning natural gas that escapes from oil and gas wells, with the intent of combusting methane to minimize emissions. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024

These stories portray workers who are not simply anxious and exhausted but violently combusting. —Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

derivative of earlier combust, combusted "burned, consumed," going back to Middle English combust, borrowed from Latin combustus, past participle of combūrere "to destroy with fire, reduce to ashes, calcine," from com- com- + ūrere "to expose to fire, burn, scorch" (with -b- from ambūrere "to burn around, scorch," falsely parsed as am- + būrere) — more at adust

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

combust

verb

com·​bust kəm-ˈbəst 

: to be or set on fire : burn