combust

• Verbe signifiant s'enflammer ou brûler, ou provoquer la combustion de quelque chose.

A verb meaning to catch fire or burn, or to cause something to burn.

1. Cause to burnB2formalscientific

   To make something catch fire and burn.

   Enflammer (faire brûler)

   • The spark combusted the dry leaves instantly.
   • Improper storage can combust the chemicals.
   • The engine combusts fuel to generate power.

   Synonymesigniteinflamekindlelighttorch

   Antonymesdouseextinguishquenchsmothersnuff

2. Burst into flamesB2formalscientific

   To start burning suddenly and violently.

   S'enflammer

   • The gas tank combusted upon impact.
   • Dry wood combusts easily in a fire.
   • The mixture combusted without warning.

   Synonymescatch fireflare upignite

   Antonymesdouseextinguishquenchsmothersnuff

3. Become very angryC1informal

   To suddenly become extremely angry or lose one's temper.

   S'emporter violemment

   • He combusted when he heard the news.
   • She combusted with rage at the insult.
   • The boss combusted over the missed deadline.

   Synonymesblow uperuptexplodeflare upfly off the handlego ballistic

   Antonymescalmcompose

4. Cause violent angerC1informal

   To make someone become violent or extremely angry.

   Mettre en fureur

   • The unfair criticism combusted him into a fury.
   • Her words combusted the crowd into a riot.
   • The provocation combusted his temper.

   Synonymesangerenrageincenseinflameinfuriatemaddenprovokerile

5. Undergo combustionB2formalscientific

   To undergo the chemical process of burning, producing heat and light.

   brûler

   • The fuel combusts in the engine chamber.
   • Wood combusts when heated to its ignition point.
   • The substance combusts rapidly in oxygen.

   Synonymesburncatch fireignite

   Antonymesdouseextinguishquenchsmotherstifle