1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly
all evening long we just sat there, contentedly watching the Yule log burn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to flame
to shine with a bright harsh light
the bright streetlight outside our motel room burned all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in creek
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
the walkers forded the shallow burn and then came upon a field of gorse
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 burn
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
At least 12 other fires are simultaneously burning across Utah, including two major blazes, the Snyder Fire near the Colorado border and the Babylon Fire in San Juan County, which have each consumed over 30,000 acres and are both 0% contained.
—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 July 2026
Barker, Hutcherson and Watson and two others who sustained burn injuries were overcome by flames from fast-moving fires in Mesa County.
—
Jessica Hill,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Verb
The lodger being burned at the stake evokes the recent Spanish housing crisis.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
At least 12 other fires are simultaneously burning across Utah, including two major blazes, the Snyder Fire near the Colorado border and the Babylon Fire in San Juan County, which have each consumed over 30,000 acres and are both 0% contained.
—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
30 June 2026
Noun
JetZero claims around 50% lower fuel burn than comparable current aircraft.
—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 July 2026
Barker, Hutcherson and Watson and two others who sustained burn injuries were overcome by flames from fast-moving fires in Mesa County.
—
Jessica Hill,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burn
Verb
-
The glowing ribbon of the Milky Way tumbles directly through this cosmic triangle before arcing towards the southern horizon, though its diffuse light will be hidden behind a veil of moonlight on the night of the full moon.
-
Nobody writes a glowing reference for the person who stole their idea.
Verb
-
Most of Georgia will be back under a heat advisory on Tuesday as a dangerous heat wave continues to scorch parts of the United States.
-
Hot and even moderately hot pans will scorch the 10% resin content, turning it brown or yellow.
Verb
-
Marylanders settled back for a steaming celebration of America’s 194th birthday today.
-
The French capital is in the midst of a heat wave — the day of the show was the city’s hottest ever June day, until Wednesday eclipsed it — and the model’s toes steamed inside the oblong footwear.
Verb
-
The clip ultimately evolved into a lo-fi vision of the Rapture, complete with giant flaming hands terrorizing the band.
-
True insanity seldom results from a huge, flaming blowout when driving.
Verb
-
Part of the robot’s training was to handle situations in which its handlers have deliberately deceived it.
-
With or without Balogun, the co-host will be feeling confident against a Belgium team that has flattered to deceive in this tournament so far.
Verb
-
Every one of those calls consumes tokens and touches a system with its own permissions.
-
Public health data has taught us that alcohol, which can be fine when consumed in moderation, can be harmful to individual and societal health in excessive amounts.
Noun
-
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
-
In Hardin County, a juvenile died after a car overturned in a flooded creek, WAVE 3 News reported.
Verb
-
Known formally as 99942 Apophis, the space rock will not resemble a blazing meteor tearing through the sky.
-
Under the blazing sun on June 13, people strolled along Santana Row Makers Market to listen to music, shop and meet local craftsmakers.
Cite this Entry
“Burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burn. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
