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

Still, Cubs fever had been rekindled, albeit in a more cautious approach with the collapse of ’69 still fresh in fans’ minds. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2026

Old friends might reappear to rekindle relationships. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026

Sanders rekindled the moment earlier this year at Washington Gridiron, another annual politics-journalism event. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 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