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Antonyms for burn up


Grammar : Verb
Spell : burn
Phonetic Transcription : bɜrn



Definition of burn up

Origin :
  • 12c., combination of Old Norse brenna "to burn, light," and two originally distinct Old English verbs: bærnan "to kindle" (transitive) and beornan "to be on fire" (intransitive), all from Proto-Germanic *brennan/*branajan (cf. Middle Dutch bernen, Dutch branden, Old High German brinnan, German brennen, Gothic -brannjan "to set on fire"). This perhaps is from PIE *gwher- "to heat, warm" (see warm (adj.)), or from PIE *bhre-n-u, from root *bhreue- "to boil forth, well up" (see brew (v.)). Related: Burned/burnt (see -ed); burning.
  • Figuratively (of passions, battle, etc.) in Old English. Meaning "cheat, swindle, victimize" is first attested 1650s. In late 18c, slang, burned meant "infected with venereal disease." To burn one's bridges (behind one) "behave so as to destroy any chance of returning to a status quo" (attested by 1892 in Mark Twain), perhaps ultimately is from reckless cavalry raids in the American Civil War. Slavic languages have historically used different and unrelated words for the transitive and intransitive senses of "set fire to"/"be on fire:" cf. Polish palić/gorzeć, Russian žeč'/gorel.
  • As in kindle : verb excite, incite
  • As in outrage : verb wrong, offend, abuse
  • As in scrutinize : verb examine closely
  • As in sear : verb dry, burn
  • As in storm : verb attack, rush
  • As in trouble : verb bother, worry
  • As in waste : verb spend or use without thought; dwindle
  • As in agitate : verb disturb, trouble someone
  • As in dissipate : verb expend, spend
  • As in distress : verb worry, upset
  • As in disturb : verb bother, upset
  • As in flare : verb erupt, blow
  • As in anger : verb make someone mad; become mad
  • As in annoy : verb irritate, upset
Example sentences :
  • And suppose I set fire to this pyramid with a candle—will she burn up?
  • Extract from : « Tom Sawyer Abroad » by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
  • It must not be cooked too quickly, or the fat will burn up and be wasted.
  • Extract from : « The Skilful Cook » by Mary Harrison
  • But do you really think, Jim, that he would get his gang to burn up the place for that?
  • Extract from : « The Spoilers of the Valley » by Robert Watson
  • Let him try to burn up New Ireland—and then go back to where he came from.
  • Extract from : « Sonnie-Boy's People » by James B. Connolly
  • Mimas had no atmosphere—how could the meteor sound off or burn up?
  • Extract from : « Question of Comfort » by Les Collins
  • They could burn up all the cook-books that ever were printed and still cook.
  • Extract from : « Cobb's Bill-of-Fare » by Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb
  • The paper will light itself, will burn up for joy, I think; but I will try.
  • Extract from : « Rita » by Laura E. Richards
  • "I think he was a fool to burn up," said Frank, bound not to give in.
  • Extract from : « Jack and Jill » by Louisa May Alcott
  • I can't leave it in the house or the office: they might burn up.
  • Extract from : « The Guardian Angel » by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
  • Yet to wait for the cotton to burn up might cause a serious delay.
  • Extract from : « The Naval History of the United States » by Willis J. Abbot.

Synonyms for burn up

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019