as in fuel
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as in burning
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 kindling
Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Then Sam throws the rest of his kindling onto his fire in a last-ditch attempt just as, as Jeffrey says, the wind blows Teeny’s fire away from her rope and blows Sam’s fire upward toward his rope.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
In the dry seasons, the brush withered into kindling waiting to ignite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
The red flag warnings that have blanketed most of Southern California, and helped turn parts of it into kindling, have left the desert alone so far for the most part.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Noun
By that time, the mountains around L.A. were like a giant pile of kindling.
—Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Then Sam throws the rest of his kindling onto his fire in a last-ditch attempt just as, as Jeffrey says, the wind blows Teeny’s fire away from her rope and blows Sam’s fire upward toward his rope.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
In the dry seasons, the brush withered into kindling waiting to ignite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
The red flag warnings that have blanketed most of Southern California, and helped turn parts of it into kindling, have left the desert alone so far for the most part.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
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Food and fuel, already in short supply and expensive, could become scarcer if truck drivers do not pay tolls to gangs who control roads.—
David C. Adams,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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In the areas of Haiti controlled by gangs, nothing moves without their getting a cut: not food, not fuel, not even humanitarian aid.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
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Nearby sits a small wood-burning stove, which should be sufficient to heat the home.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With Mercury stationing direct in Pisces — igniting your expressive fifth house of love, creativity and passion — everything from your hobbies to your romantic longings is getting back on track.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The Table Rock Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres total in South Carolina and North Carolina since igniting on March 21, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Tuesday.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The test firing lasted for more than two minutes, completing a full burn and expending all of its propellant as would happen during a launch.—
Daniel Larlham,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
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People who come here to fish in the Gulf now pass through a corridor of rapid construction, heavy machinery and enormous propellant and water tanks.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Noun
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In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Alo Moves, Alo Yoga’s holistic wellness platform, has announced the launch of a new series designed to support the gut-brain connection aiming to help users reset for better digestion, energy and mood.—
Alexandra Pastore,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
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Waterless dyeing can lower production costs by up to 45% by slashing water and energy bills, reducing waste treatment requirements, and accelerating processing time.—
Ken Katz,
Sourcing Journal,
5 May 2025
Verb
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Stray animals are also at risk of suffering from heat exhaustion during scorching summers.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
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Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid scorching the milk.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The show explores themes of power, identity and culture in Harlem.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
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Bucharest Reuters — Romanians voted on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could propel hard-right eurosceptic George Simion to power in a ballot that will test the rise of Donald Trump-style nationalism in the European Union.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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