COMBUSTING Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

combusting 1 of 2

adjective

as in burning

being on fire combusting oxygen tanks turned the fire on the evacuees' bus into a raging inferno

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

combusting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of combust

as in glowing

to be on fire especially brightly anthracite, which is naturally hard, combusts more cleanly than bituminous coal

Synonyms & Similar 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 combusting

Verb

The element of surprise has mostly worn off, even if Grace tells Faith that one never really gets used to people spontaneously combusting right in front of you. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026 Crews detected no visible signs of the fire, such as flames, smoke or perceptibly combusting material. — Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024 After dozens of fires caused by combusting batteries used in electric scooters and bikes in recent years, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is set to consider imposing new restrictions on the rechargeable devices on Tuesday. — Nora Mishanec, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Dec. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combusting

Adjective

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Definition of burning

Adjective

In Marvel Comics lore, Blaze is a motorcycle stuntman whose soul becomes bound to the Spirit of Vengeance, granting him supernatural abilities — and a flaming skull-head.

— Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026
At her senior prom, a crown was placed on Cheryl’s flaming red hair.

— Dateline NBC, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of flaming

Verb

Beyond the town’s artistic offerings, Brown County State Park, Indiana’s largest and an easy day trip from Indianapolis, draws visitors with more than 90 miles of hiking and biking trails twisting through blazing forests.

— Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026
That inspired her blazing recent mixtape, Eternal, which traffics in big beats, exclamatory vocals, and thoughtful lyrics about the pleasures of being in a moveable, danceable body.

— Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of blazing

Browse Nearby Words

combustible

combusting

combustive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Combusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combusting. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of combusting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes