rekindle

verb

re·​kin·​dle ˌrē-ˈkin-dᵊl How to pronounce rekindle (audio)
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

Examples of rekindle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Flynn's passion for the banjo, for being around music-minded people, for hiking in Ireland's woods − and crawling out on its precarious cliffs − rekindled the wanderlust in all of us. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 Here, a former prom king and queen who abruptly lost sight of each other in college shack up for professional reasons — and close proximity rekindles dormant sparks. Carole V. Bell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 The Selena actor and The Town star rekindled their romance in the spring of 2021, and were engaged in April 2022. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 So at a literary reading, Matt rekindles their friendship. Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2024 This landmark achievement not only rekindles America's aspirations for a sustained lunar presence under its Artemis program but also paves the way for innovative commercial ventures in space and on the moon. Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Since rekindling their relationship years later when the Ecuadorian construction worker left his family, including two teenage children, in to move to the U.S., things have been far from perfect. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 Throughout the album, Lopez opens up about rekindling her relationship with Affleck. Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 Longing for love, rekindling an old flame – even heartbreak – are all topics that have been explored on more than one occasion by some of the world’s greatest artists. Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rekindle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rekindle was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near rekindle

Cite this Entry

“Rekindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rekindle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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