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

• reanimate
• recharge
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• renew
• resurrect
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify
• rewake
• rewaken

Examples of rekindle in a Sentence

the trip to Ireland rekindled her interest in learning Gaelic

Recent Examples on the Web

Old friends might reappear to rekindle friendships. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2024

But despite the crews' monitoring for several hours, embers from the fire remained undetected and were rekindled, according to Ventura. —Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024

Officials do not know what caused the fire to rekindle later that day. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024

Luckily, some new friendships have come along to rekindle your faith in community since May. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1