The extinction of opposed-jet diffusion flames is studied under an applied electric field of varying intensity and polarity. Experiment reveals that at any particular flame composition, an electric field enables one to support flames with greater apparent flame strengths than without a field. The overall order of reaction varies with both intensity and polarity of the electric field. It is suggested that, below discharge intensity, an electric field may affect combustion kinetics by altering gas concentration gradients, or by contributing new electron molecule reactions.