ignite

verb

ig-ˈnīt How to pronounce ignite (audio)
Definition of ignitenext
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ignite For decades, the prevailing story of the Manson murders held that Charles Manson masterminded a murderous plot to ignite a race war inspired by the Beatles. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Then scoring on a 23-yard pass moments later to ignite Miami’s 45-6 rout-win at Stanford. — Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 So much so that a conversation between them is what ignited Harbour’s desire to propose. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026 Cruz has discretion to determine the future of a case that has gripped the nation and ignited a furious debate about the issue of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ignite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignite
  1. burn
  2. scorch
  3. light
  4. inflame
  5. fire
Verb
  • Jackson’s availability was curbed by red cards at Chelsea — in Bruges, a barge and shirt pull with defender Han-Beom Lee suggested those flickers of fury and confrontation still burn.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • On a cold night in November 2011, in a field outside Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, a gang of thugs stormed a Soviet scientific research institute, beat and humiliated the staff and burned the place to the ground.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • Sudan’s civil war turned its national museum into a battlefield and crime scene, with ancient statues shattered, skeletal remains scorched and vaults of gold looted.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The right side of the plane had what appeared to be scorch marks.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • European space officials hope a jolt of competition will light a fire under the continent’s rocket industry.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
  • This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of light
Verb
  • Any departure from that position would be a major diplomatic affront and inflame already high transatlantic tensions.
    — Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This incident continued to come up all season, dividing the group and inflaming the relationship between the Bookos and married couple Janet and Jason Caperna.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of inflame
Verb
  • Knowing workers are required to pay dues or be fired, leaders often use these funds for their own personal gain and political agenda, no matter how many rank-and-file members may object.
    — Mark Mix, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russian forces launched 108 Shahed-type drones fired from Russia, while at least three people were killed in the latest strikes and infrastructure was hit in Kyiv region.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fire

Browse Nearby Words

ignitable
ignite
ignited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignite. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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