rekindle

verb

re·​kin·​dle ˌrē-ˈkin-dᵊl 

rekindled; rekindling

1

transitive : to kindle (something) again

rekindle a fire

On the way the torch went out, and we took shelter in a small and lonely Christian chapel to rekindle it.

—Robert Louis Stevenson

: to start or stir up (something) again

The couple appeared to rekindle their romance, exchanging loving messages promising to try to make the relationship work again …

—Sarah Ward

"… You get a chance to meet up with people and rekindle memories … "

—Paul O'Connell

Its election offered an example of how to rekindle interest in politics …

—Vrasidas Karalis

Her story is one of those great stories of love, commitment and perseverance that rekindle your hope for humanity …

—Kimberly Fletcher

2

intransitive : to begin to burn again : to flare up again

Firefighters were called back to the scene around 6 a.m. when the flames rekindled.

—Mike Hasch

Synonyms

• reanimate
• recharge
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• renew
• resurrect
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify
• rewake
• rewaken

Examples of rekindle in a Sentence

the trip to Ireland rekindled her interest in learning Gaelic

Recent Examples on the Web

If the environmentalists’ lawsuit is not rekindled by a higher court, the final hurdle for the project is to receive water rights from the State Water Resources Control Board, which is appointed by Newsom. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024

Lopez and Affleck rekindled their early-2000s relationship in 2021, and share a blended family. —Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

Historians will debate the consequences of the board’s vote and perhaps whether the nation’s current political mood has rekindled racial tensions. —Sarah Kohrs and Neil Thorne, TIME, 21 May 2024

But a slowdown of price hikes offered hope of rekindling those plans. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1