Burned stake is a term that refers to a pole or post that has been set on fire as a form of punishment. It has a dark and gruesome connotation. The term can be replaced with several other synonyms such as pyre, funeral pile, bonfire, stake burning, stake cremation, etc. Each of these synonyms has its own variations and nuances that can be used in different contexts. For example, the term pyre is often used in the context of a ritual cremation of a deceased person, while the term stake burning is used more commonly in historical contexts as a form of punishment for witchcraft or heresy. Overall, these synonyms can help to soften the harshness of the term "burned stake" and provide alternative phrasings that are more suitable for certain situations.