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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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
Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025
Officials are warning that the Los Angeles wildfires could cause devastating impacts long after they've been extinguished, particularly in how the burn scars respond to severe weather events.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 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
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang is proactively reassessing properties in the burn areas, so to get this relief, nothing is required.
—Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025
Officials are warning that the Los Angeles wildfires could cause devastating impacts long after they've been extinguished, particularly in how the burn scars respond to severe weather events.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
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The lightweight Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter has a subtle, dewy glow.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
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Many acne-prone reviewers praise its ability to lighten acne scars and calm any redness for a more radiant, smooth, soft, even, and glowing complexion.—
Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar,
Glamour,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Roughly 40,500 acres, much of which is made up of the acres scorched in the Palisades Fire (23,713) and the Eaton Fire (14,021), according to Cal Fire.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The fire scorched three acres and is threatening structures, according to officials. Zones 1894-A,1975-B and 1895 are under mandatory evacuation, according to the city.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Get the recipe > Whole Steamed Fish with Tangerine Peel and Fennel Bright citrus and peppery fennel enliven flaky steamed fish in this elegant banquet-table centerpiece.—
Megan Zhang,
Saveur,
16 Jan. 2025
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In the winter, the opening acts like a chimney for the warmer water below, giving the spring a steaming underworld look and its ominous name.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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An unnamed Chiefs figure, atop a horse and holding a flaming football helmet, invades the Raiders’ home of Las Vegas like the legendary Headless Horseman.—
Hannah Wise,
Kansas City Star,
19 Jan. 2025
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But homes and landscaping burn, and spread flaming embers.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Some even provide fake documents to help scammers deceive others.—
Ryan Nawrocki,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Jan. 2025
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On the other hand, disinformation is misleading or false information shared with the intent to deceive.—
Jill Hopke,
The Conversation,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Just remember that staying engaged and aware of the type of ASMR content children consume is key to ensuring a safe and positive experience, stresses Dr. Adusei.—
Holly Garcia,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
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By Sunday, the flames had consumed over 28,000 acres across the Baja California peninsula.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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On July 18, 2019, a Cheshire resident with property abutting Cuff Brook observed dead fish and discolored water with an oily sheen in the brook and smelled a chemical odor similar to lighter fluid, officials said.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
18 Jan. 2025
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At about ten o’clock that night, the bridge finally fell into the brook, but the truck did not follow, and was hauled to safety by a wrecker.—
Gary Greenberg,
Harper's Magazine,
23 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Advertisement All seven main engines fired at liftoff as the rocket blazed through the predawn sky to the delight of spectators lining nearby beaches.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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Federal response teams are combatting the Los Angeles fires blazing across hundreds of acres, which have forced thousands to evacuate from their homes.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
12 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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