as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kindle
Traders and investors are laser-focused on the inflation being kindled by higher oil prices.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Rather than have their payroll and egos be kindling for clubhouse dysfunction, the Dodgers have found a formula to keep their winning ways going.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Birthday celebrations in subsequent years seem hardly to have been calculated to kindle a sense of humility.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
John Blackwell, who made the buzzer-beating game-winner, saw what the fan reaction kindled inside Carrington.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Rather than have their payroll and egos be kindling for clubhouse dysfunction, the Dodgers have found a formula to keep their winning ways going.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Birthday celebrations in subsequent years seem hardly to have been calculated to kindle a sense of humility.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
John Blackwell, who made the buzzer-beating game-winner, saw what the fan reaction kindled inside Carrington.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindle
Verb
-
While the vast majority of burns occur with few issues, fires have escaped in rare cases, like in New Mexico in 2022, which led the Forest Service to pause burning nationwide.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
4 May 2026
-
The mayor and the City Council have been warned for years that these shortcomings were leaving the city unacceptably vulnerable to the very kind of emergency that wiped out my home, killed 12 of my neighbors and burned 7,000 additional structures.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Over a whirlwind night, Audrey and Hubert risk their respective careers to help one another, igniting the start of a legendary forty-year creative partnership.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
-
The initial disclosure during a March 17 staff budget presentation ignited a sharp split among council members.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Brunson lit the match, but the game belonged to all of them.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
One candle is lit with another, moths are invited in.—
Brenda Hillman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Mosley was fired Monday morning after the Magic’s season ended Sunday at Detroit in Game 7 of their first-round NBA playoff series.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 May 2026
-
He was arrested after firing a shotgun in the direction of stairs leading to the ballroom dinner area, prosecutors said in an April 29 court filing.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
The issue seemed minute on Monday, with Brunson torching the 76ers en route to an eight-point advantage at the end of the first period.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
During the June 2025 anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles, demonstrators smashed, spray-painted, and torched at least six Waymo robotaxis.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet even a disappointing ruling at the high court doesn’t mean the MAHA movement is defeated or should completely go scorched earth on the administration.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Blazers could not hold on after building a 65-59 halftime lead, an edge built by shooting a scorching 10-of-21 from 3-point range.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindle. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
