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

Efforts are underway to rekindle this fading heritage before their skills are lost. — Kelly Kasulis Cho, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026

And what also touches me is that Lupin has rekindled the desire to read the writer Maurice Leblanc. — Baptiste Mandrillon, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Wall Street is rallying again as investors rekindle enthusiasm about AI. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

The fire briefly rekindled Tuesday morning, and firefighters returned to work on hot spots. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 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