combust
Americanverb (used with or without object)
adjective
verb
Etymology
Origin of combust
1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But they have downsides—costly materials, a China-dominated supply chain that concerns Western governments and a tendency to combust if you’re not careful.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025
Even five World Cups in, she cannot hold back the tears at the national anthem, and looks like she will combust with passion at each wicket she claims.
From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025
Although neither live in California, they are familiar with its topography, its devil winds and hillsides ready to combust, and their message was clear.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025
"Modern landfill facilities already capture, upgrade and combust their gas emissions for electricity generation, however, our process creates a much more environmentally impactful and commercially valuable product," he said.
From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2024
Seriously, I feel like I'm about to combust.
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
