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 of rekindle

• revive
• resurrect
• renew

Examples of rekindle in a Sentence

the trip to Ireland rekindled her interest in learning Gaelic

Recent Examples on the Web

The pop star is now in a relationship with Ricky Alvarez, having rekindled things with him earlier this year after previously dating the dancer in 2016. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Kicillof and others have seized on widespread economic hardship under Milei to rekindle support for the movement's traditional pillars — free education, public health care and workers’ rights. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Bernstein analysts are still wildly bullish on two AI semiconductor powerhouses, despite calls to slow down the development of the most advanced models and rekindled investor enthusiasm for a competing part of the AI chip ecosystem. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

The two reportedly rekindled their relationship in 2014 before calling it quits again. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rekindle

• brindle
• dwindle
• grindal
• grindle
• kindle
• spindle
• swindle
• windle