as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
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Recent Examples of ignite
Depending on your vantage point, the Lions either lost the veteran leadership that ignited this run or passed the torch to the core group that’s been prepped for their departure.
—
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Once fired, Blogoslawski filed a request to begin collecting her pension, igniting an effort by the Sanchez administration to determine whether the MOU signed by Stewart is binding.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Low-hanging branches can catch fire, and dry leaves or shrubs nearby can ignite from stray embers.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Vegetation dries out faster as temperatures warm, allowing fires to ignite more easily and spread more rapidly.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Once fired, Blogoslawski filed a request to begin collecting her pension, igniting an effort by the Sanchez administration to determine whether the MOU signed by Stewart is binding.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Low-hanging branches can catch fire, and dry leaves or shrubs nearby can ignite from stray embers.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Vegetation dries out faster as temperatures warm, allowing fires to ignite more easily and spread more rapidly.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignite
Verb
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While the vast majority of burns occur with few issues, fires have escaped in rare cases, like in New Mexico in 2022, which led the Forest Service to pause burning nationwide.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
4 May 2026
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The mayor and the City Council have been warned for years that these shortcomings were leaving the city unacceptably vulnerable to the very kind of emergency that wiped out my home, killed 12 of my neighbors and burned 7,000 additional structures.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Yet even a disappointing ruling at the high court doesn’t mean the MAHA movement is defeated or should completely go scorched earth on the administration.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Blazers could not hold on after building a 65-59 halftime lead, an edge built by shooting a scorching 10-of-21 from 3-point range.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Brunson lit the match, but the game belonged to all of them.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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One candle is lit with another, moths are invited in.—
Brenda Hillman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Asthma is a chronic condition that inflames the airways and can make breathing difficult.—
Sanja Jelic,
Verywell Health,
29 Apr. 2026
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That outlet couldn’t confirm what caused Taylor’s pancreas to become inflamed, but notes that alcohol can be a factor.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mosley was fired Monday morning after the Magic’s season ended Sunday at Detroit in Game 7 of their first-round NBA playoff series.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 May 2026
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He was arrested after firing a shotgun in the direction of stairs leading to the ballroom dinner area, prosecutors said in an April 29 court filing.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignite. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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