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Glite Dictionary
🔥 To catch fire 😡 To explode emotionally
to combust

to combust

4 8.2
To become suddenly very angry and lose control
  • verb
  • /kəmˈbʌst/
translation icon : estallar
  • "People don't often spontaneously combust," he pointed out.
  • spontaneously combust
  • about to combust

Examples

  • Because I'm, I do feel like I'm trying to like, what's the word emotionally combust lately?

  • Just get me a number before he spontaneously combusts.

    The Kid (2000)

  • Are we all going to now spontaneously combust?

    Blog text (15)

  • And my advice to you is to stop worrying before you spontaneously combust.

    Accepted (2006)

  • They think I should spontaneously combust from the sheer paradox.

    Blog text (26)

  • I'm trying to project, but I think all of this, you know, pent up anger and energy inside of me combusted and I accidentally shout Mr.

  • When she heard the criticism, she nearly combust from anger.

  • He tends to combust if you interrupt him during a meeting.

  • I could see him combust with rage as the argument escalated.

Synonyms

to explode
vsto combust
187 3.5

To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger

focuses specifically on sudden extreme anger rather than any strong emotion
to erupt
vsto combust
123 4.2

To suddenly start in a strong or violent way, often showing strong feeling

applies mainly to sudden extreme anger rather than events or violence
to boil
vsto combust
  • Informal
114 5.5

To become very angry or excited

tends to mean sudden extreme anger rather than general agitation or excitement
to flare
vsto combust
51 4.4

To become suddenly more intense, often about anger or violence

describes sudden extreme anger specifically rather than activity or violence
to go ballistic
vsto combust
  • Informal
22 7.5

Suddenly become very angry

is about sudden extreme anger but can include other very strong emotions
to fume
vsto combust
22 6.3

To feel very angry without showing it

refers to sudden extreme anger that bursts out, not quiet simmering
to blow up
vsto combust
  • Informal
16 4.7

To suddenly become very angry and lose control

can show sudden extreme anger but not always loss of control
to have a fit
vsto combust
  • Informal
16 5.3

To suddenly become very angry or upset and show it strongly

can refer to sudden extreme anger but often stresses visible dramatic reaction
to throw a fit
vsto combust
  • Informal
12 6.1

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way

is about sudden extreme anger but not always so visibly dramatic
to fly off the handle
vsto combust
  • Informal
11 6.8

To suddenly become very angry

shows sudden extreme anger often with a quick emotional burst
to see red
vsto combust
  • Informal
10 6.8

To become very angry suddenly

describes sudden extreme anger, often without clear cause or warning
to sizzle
vsto combust
8 5.6

To feel very angry inside without showing it

is sudden extreme anger that bursts out rather than simmering or burning
to hit the roof
vsto combust
  • Informal
4 6.7

To suddenly become very angry

means sudden extreme anger that bursts out rather than slowly building
to hit the ceiling
vsto combust
  • Informal
3 6.8

To suddenly get very angry

is about sudden extreme anger and a forceful emotional outburst
to lose one's temper
vsto combust
2 3.7

To suddenly become very angry and not be able to control yourself

focuses on sudden extreme loss of control as an emotional burst
to blow one's stack
vsto combust
  • Informal
2 8.6

Suddenly get very angry and show it

expresses sudden extreme anger, sometimes with an outward emotional burst
to flame up
vsto combust
1 4.6

To suddenly start burning strongly or become much more intense

focuses on sudden extreme anger specifically rather than broader intensity increases
to blow a fuse
vsto combust
  • Informal
1 7.4

To suddenly become very angry

describes sudden extreme anger or an abrupt emotional burst
to go off on one
vsto combust
  • UK
1 9.9

To suddenly get very angry and speak loudly for a long time

is sudden extreme anger but usually lasts longer and is more verbal
to blow one's top
vsto combust
  • Informal
8.0

To suddenly become very angry

shows sudden extreme anger or an emotional burst more generally
to have kittens
vsto combust
  • Informal
8.8

Become very upset or angry in a way that is too strong

focuses on sudden extreme anger rather than anxiety or exaggerated upset
to flip one's lid
vsto combust
  • Informal
9.1

To become suddenly very angry and lose control

shows sudden extreme anger or an emotional burst, but not always loss of control
to flip one's wig
vsto combust
  • Informal
9.9

To suddenly become very angry and lose control of yourself

can mean sudden extreme anger but also sudden upset without anger
to begin to fume
vsto combust
5.8

Start to show obvious anger, often with a red face and raised voice

is about sudden extreme anger that bursts out rather than a slow visible start

Antonyms

to calm
962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

to soothe
63 3.4

To make someone feel calmer or reduce their pain

How Angry

to go berserk
  • Informal
27 7.7
to go ballistic
  • Informal
22 7.5
to combust
4 8.2
annoyed
77 1.0

Surface Forms

combust infinitive
combusted past
combusted past participle
combusting present participle
combusts third person singular

Etymology

The word combust comes from Latin parts com- meaning 'together' and -bust meaning 'burn', so picture someone 'bursting into flames' with feeling. That's why combust can mean to suddenly get very angry or to erupt emotionally.