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

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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

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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

Verb

Creators who attended OpenAI’s first-ever influencer brand trip at a luxury resort in upstate New York posted glowing reviews of their private cabins, nature excursions and farm-to-table meals.

— Angela Yang, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
The Perseids are particularly fast and often leave persistent glowing trails.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of glowing

Adjective

The big righty with flaming red hair and a long, bushy beard was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2016 MLB draft.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Johnny then becomes bonded to a supernatural demon called the Spirit of Vengeance and is able to transform into a flaming, skeletal biker.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 July 2026

Definition of flaming

Verb

Video circulating online shows a major fire blazing beneath the tracks of the Raptor roller coaster at Gardaland, Italy’s most popular theme park that draws millions of visitors each year to the Verona-area destination.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
The field and seeing the animals benefit from it is a breath of fresh air in the mornings before blazing afternoons and evenings.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of blazing

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combustible

combusting

combustive

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“Combusting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combusting. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of combusting

adjective

verb

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