incinerate

[in-sin-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

incinerated, incinerating 

1. to burn or reduce to ashes; cremate.

incinerate

/ ɪnˈsɪnəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to burn up completely; reduce to ashes

Other Word Forms

• incineration noun
• unincinerated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incinerate¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin incinerātus (past participle of incinerāre ) < Latin in- in- ² + ciner- (stem of cinis ) ashes + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incinerate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin incinerāre, from Latin _in- ² + cinis ashes

Example Sentences

This struck her one day when she stopped to pick up food at El Patron, a Mexican restaurant that survived the fire but was surrounded by incinerated businesses.

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Nearly half, or 46 percent, ends up in landfills, while 17 percent is incinerated and 22 percent is mismanaged and becomes litter.

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Vapes mixed in with general waste, which is often ultimately incinerated, cause less serious problems than those in general recycling.

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Entire villages have been emptied, homes and businesses destroyed and hundreds of vehicles incinerated, including more than 500 cars at a customs yard.

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People died, houses were incinerated, neighborhoods were eradicated.

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Related Words

• consume 
• cremate 
• ignite 
• scorch 
• torch