combusting
Catching fire now
Combusting is burning—undergoing rapid chemical reaction with oxygen that produces heat and usually light.
The word appears in scientific and technical contexts: The fuel was combusting inefficiently.
Figuratively, someone combusting is exploding with emotion, especially anger: He was practically combusting with rage.
Starting combustion process
- flameBurning gas made visible
- blazeIntense burning fire
- smolderBurn without flame
- charBurn without destroying
scorch · incinerate · kindle · singe · sear · carbonize · consume · glow
Losing electrons chemically
- exothermicReleasing energy as heat
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- activationSetting into operation
enthalpy · reactants · stoichiometry · decomposition · kinetics · spontaneous · flashpoint · ignition point
Explosive ignition event
- blastingExplosive material removal
- dynamitePowerful blasting compound
- TNTPowerful blasting compound
- nitroglycerinExplosive compound, cardiac drug
volatile · incendiary · pyrotechnics · fulmination · conflagration · fireball · backdraft · flashover
Refined petroleum vehicle fuel
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
propane · butane · ethanol · kerosene · hydrocarbon · biofuel · octane · fossil
Situated within
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
- spark plugElectrical ignition component
- carburetorEngine fuel-air mixer
exhaust · manifold · injection · compression · stroke · turbine · afterburner · furnace
ignition
Starting combustion process
char · scorch · incinerate · kindle · singe · sear · carbonize · consume · glow · embers
oxidation
Losing electrons chemically
- exothermicReleasing energy as heat
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
activation · enthalpy · reactants · stoichiometry · decomposition · kinetics · spontaneous · flashpoint · ignition point · thermodynamics
detonation
Explosive ignition event
nitroglycerin · volatile · incendiary · pyrotechnics · fulmination · conflagration · fireball · backdraft · flashover · blowout
gasoline
Refined petroleum vehicle fuel
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
methane · propane · butane · ethanol · kerosene · hydrocarbon · biofuel · octane · fossil · natural gas
internal
Situated within
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
- spark plugElectrical ignition component
carburetor · exhaust · manifold · injection · compression · stroke · turbine · afterburner · furnace · boiler
combustingextinguished
Made to stop burning
extinguishing · quenched · doused · smothered · freezing
- internal combustionFuel ignites in cylinders
- fuel combustionOxidation of energy sources
- combustion engineFuel-igniting mechanical powerplant
- spontaneous combustionCatching fire independently
- internal combustion engineHeat-driven mechanical powerplant
- combustion chamberEngine's ignition cavity