catch fire or cause to catch fire, burn fiercely and uncontrollably, undergo combustion; burn

combustible material, spontaneous combustion, combustion engine

Formal and Informal Expressions of combust

In different contexts, you can replace 'combust' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'ignite, burn' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'catch fire, burst into flames' is a commonplace synonym.

combust: Explore its Definition & Usage

combust Definition

1catch fire or cause to catch fire
2burn fiercely and uncontrollably
3undergo combustion; burn

Using combust: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "combust" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The car's engine suddenly combusts.
Example
The dry grass combusts easily in hot weather.
Example
The building was completely destroyed by the combustive fire.
Example
The rocket fuel is designed to combust at high temperatures.

combust Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for combust

ignite
kindle
blaze
flare up
burn

Antonyms for combust

extinguish
smother

Phrases with combust

combustible material
material that is capable of catching fire and burning easily
Example
The warehouse contained a lot of combustible material, making it a high-risk area for fire.
spontaneous combustion
the ignition of a substance without an external heat source, typically caused by chemical reactions within the substance
Example
The pile of oily rags underwent spontaneous combustion and caught fire.
combustion engine
an engine that generates power by burning fuel within a confined space
Example
Most cars today use a combustion engine to convert fuel into energy.

Origins of combust

from Latin 'combustus', past participle of 'combureo', meaning 'to burn up'

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Summary: combust in Brief

'Combust' [kəmˈbʌst] refers to the act of catching fire or causing something to catch fire, burning fiercely and uncontrollably. It can also mean undergoing combustion or burning. Examples include 'The car's engine suddenly combusts.' and 'The rocket fuel is designed to combust at high temperatures.' The term extends into phrases like 'combustible material,' referring to substances that can easily catch fire.