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
The high winds, combined with dry ground fuels, will contribute to rapid wildfire growth and spread should one ignite.
—
Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Both companies plan to appeal, but the ruling has ignited uncertainty around the tech companies’ future and sparked questions about the potential fallout.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Argentina’s national soccer team won the Copa América, ending a 28-year drought and igniting national celebration.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Rood's question to the board ignited a quest for information.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Both companies plan to appeal, but the ruling has ignited uncertainty around the tech companies’ future and sparked questions about the potential fallout.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Argentina’s national soccer team won the Copa América, ending a 28-year drought and igniting national celebration.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Rood's question to the board ignited a quest for information.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignite
Verb
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The analysis, released Friday by the California Department of Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, found that meeting wildfire safety standards for roughly 30,000 homes within the Eaton and Pacific Palisades burn areas would significantly cut average annual losses.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Around 2,000 acres at Camp Ripley in north-central Minnesota have burned due to a wildfire that broke out in the area on Sunday, officials with the military training center said.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, it must be shielded from scorching sun.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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The eruption did more than cool the skies and scorch an entire network of valleys.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday evening, City Hall was lit in the Transgender Pride flag colors — light pink, baby blue and white.—
Angela Palermo
April 1,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Birdfy misses most often when a bird is too close to the camera, poorly lit, or facing away from the camera.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump’s decision to send ICE agents to the airports risks inflaming the situation, lawmakers have said.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
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The episode inflames the diplomatic spat between the two countries that began over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once North Carolina fired Hubert Davis after five seasons, Billy Donovan immediately rose to the top of the list of favorites to become the next head coach of the storied program.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignite. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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