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

the trip to Ireland rekindled her interest in learning Gaelic
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But international rivalry between the United States and Canada, rekindled last season with two memorable games in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, will also take center stage in February when the NHL will break for players’ participation in the Winter Olympics for the first time in over a decade. Rob Rossi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 However, just a month after news of their breakup was reported, sources told PEOPLE that the pair had, in fact, rekindled their relationship. Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Lopez and Affleck, one of the quintessential pop culture couples of the early 2000s, famously rekindled their romance in 2021 and wed the following year, two decades after breaking off their first engagement in late 2002. Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 The two’s Love Island Games castmates, Tyrique Hyde from Love Island UK Season 10 and Toby Aromolaran from Love Island UK Season 7, confirmed on Snapchat that Johnny had rekindled his romance with Andreina after the Love Island Games Season 2 finale. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rekindle

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rekindle was in 1592

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Cite this Entry

“Rekindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rekindle. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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