as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
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Recent Examples of kindle
That leadership isn't just about putting out fires, but about kindling something deeper.
—
Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025
Sparks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
Chihuahua native and longtime Pueblo resident Carlos Maldonado — who also accompanied Chihuahua leaders over the weekend — was pivotal in kindling the relationship between the two cities.
—James Bartolo, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025
Sparks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
Chihuahua native and longtime Pueblo resident Carlos Maldonado — who also accompanied Chihuahua leaders over the weekend — was pivotal in kindling the relationship between the two cities.
—James Bartolo, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindle
Verb
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The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
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The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
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This ignited a profoundly personal and heated rivalry between the former best friends.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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On Sunday afternoon, the Camp House Fire near Brimson ignited, and on Monday morning, the Jenkins Creek Fire ignited a few miles northwest of the Camp House Fire.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
13 May 2025
Verb
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During the tricky Death monologues, Urbina subtly shines a spotlight on the actor, while the others, frozen in place, are dimly lit, still able to be seen.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
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On a gas model, light the burners on one side, leaving the opposite side off.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
15 May 2025
Verb
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In the collider, lead ions are fired at each other at nearly the speed of light, either hitting one another or passing close to others.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Ryan Gerard fired an opening 66 in his first career PGA Championship round.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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In 1772, the HMS Gaspee ran aground here and was promptly torched by angry locals.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
8 May 2025
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Reuters — Explosions and fires rocked Sudan’s main port city and wartime capital Port Sudan on Tuesday, a witness said, part of a days-long drone assault that has torched the country’s biggest fuel depot, damaging the most important gateway for foreign aid.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
6 May 2025
Verb
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As if this summer's scorching weather prediction from the Old Farmer's Almanac wasn't enough to set us all—ahem—ablaze, hurricane season 2025 is also poised to set some records.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Scrutiny circled them after Game 3, when a struggling Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t defer to a scorching Williams down the stretch.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindle. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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