incinerate

[ in-sin-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·cin·er·at·ed, in·cin·er·at·ing.

1. to burn or reduce to ashes; cremate.

incinerate

/ ɪnˈsɪnəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to burn up completely; reduce to ashes

Derived Forms

• inˌcinerˈation, noun

Other Words From

• in·ciner·ation noun
• unin·ciner·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incinerate¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin incinerātus (past participle of incinerāre ) < Latin in- in- ² + ciner- (stem of cinis ) ashes + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incinerate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin incinerāre, from Latin in- ² + cinis ashes

Example Sentences

Some incinerate the remains with medical waste like tumors or kidney stones, while others opt for unmarked mass burials at cemeteries, and sometimes parents can find out a general area if they wish to visit.

From Slate

Warner’s demonic character would incinerate his minions with a wave of his hand, whereas Clement’s baddie is a bit more judicious with his violence.

From Salon

History was ruptured in the 1950s; how could life go on after the revelation of World War II death camps and the creation of a bomb that could incinerate a city’s population with a single blast?

From Los Angeles Times

Many people forget that the night before Trump and his Republicans tried to incinerate our votes on January 6, the Democrats took the Senate by winning the two races in Georgia.

From Salon

“Ideally we don’t want to incinerate them because it has to be done very, very slowly. But if have to, we will,” said Bob Cappadona, who leads the company’s environmental services division.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• consume
• cremate
• ignite
• scorch
• torch